The Red Tricycle opens in Ephrata

MOSES LAKE - The Red Tricycle opened this week in Ephrata, offering residents a place to shop for new and gently used children's clothing.

Ephrata resident Jennifer Pierce said she decided to open the store because she knew firsthand how difficult it was to find quality, affordable children's clothing in the area.

Pierce said she ran a Facebook group for mothers in the Ephrata area, where they would exchange clothing and other items with each other.

"We would trade clothes back and forth because we couldn't find things out here," she said. "Then we started selling to each other, and then I took it a step further and started doing group buys at stores."

Pierce said she and the other mothers could get better discounts on items from companies by buying things in bulk.

"I did that for a while, then it just grew and I knew it could work as a business because there is definitely a need out here," said Pierce.

About 40 percent of the items at The Red Tricycle are brand new, while the rest is used. However, Pierce said she makes sure the used items are of high quality.

She said clothes go up to size 12 for boys and 16 for girls. The Red Tricycle also carries kids shoes and even some maternity items.

"We have a sale table that starts at 25 cents and the most expensive thing in the store is still less than $20," she said. "I wanted to keep it affordable but still have quality, there isn't anything in town that caters to that."

Pierce said she can buy used clothes outright from customers, or consign them.

She said so far, people have been supportive of the shop.

"Opening day people were here excited and ready to shop," said Pierce. "It was a busy first day."

Pierce officially opened the store this Wednesday. The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The Red Tricycle is located at 132 W. Division Ave in Ephrata.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/redtricycle.