A Minnesota mom has an idea that was born out of necessity -- but it could be the next big thing: Rental clothes for expectant mothers who need a short-term wardrobe fix.
"Basically, I was pregnant with my son and I couldn't afford to keep buying new maternity clothes," explains Crystal Pollard.
That's what inspired Pollard to get out in her garage and advertise on Craigslist. Soon, women were coming from all over the state to sell and buy.
The fact is, maternity clothes have a pretty limited shelf life -- especially since in Minnesota, where a single term often spans at least two seasons. That's why Pollard often gets items with the tags still attached -- because both mom and baby outgrow them before they get a chance to really wear them.
But Bellies to Babies doesn't just deal in "lightly stretched" maternity clothes. They also rent special-occasion designer dresses.
"I have a holiday party on Friday and I needed to find a dress," said shopper Megan Schmidt. "I'll likely wear it once, so why not find something that you really like and you can rent it and not have to pay full price."
Pollard said she got the idea to rent dresses about a year after she opened her doors because so many pregnant women were asking for dresses to attend weddings.
"They rent tuxes -- they rent kid clothes, why not maternity dresses?" she asked.
What would normally retail for $300 can be rented for the weekend for $35, or for the week for $55. They're specially dry-cleaned between use so no harmful chemicals can harm mom or baby -- and that's creating a special niche for expectant mothers.
"I think the rental dresses is what makes it so unique," said Lori Ask. "There's quite a few second-hand kids stores and a few maternity stores, but the dress concept is really cool."
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:01:57 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush. Crews have bee working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:50:52 GMT
FDNY photo via Twitter
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
