If You Go
The Lion and The Unicorn is located at 1516 11th Ave. It is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
MONROE - Parents in Monroe now have a place where they can sell their gently used children's clothing, toys and other necessities.
But The Lion and The Unicorn is more than a resale store. It's also a kids arts and craft center.
Owners DeeAnna Straub of Brodhead and Beth Jarosz of Monroe have been friends for 16 years; they worked together at Swiss Colony.
Straub got the idea for a resale store for kids clothing after she saw a similar store in Madison.
The idea is excellent for parents who haven't the time or energy to sell the items.
"We purchase everything outright," Straub said. "People can bring in their clothes and we give them a call back in about 24 to 48 hours with a bid. They can either accept or decline."
Boys and girls clothes up to size 16 are accepted.
All the clothes are inspected and washed before being put out for sale. Any items that are a bit stained or not up to Straub and Jarosz's standards are resold on the "Quarter Racks."
But selling clothes was not enough for Straub and Jarosz.
"We wanted something for the kids to do," Jarosz said.
In a back room, children can step up to The Lion and The Unicorn's arts and crafts classes. The first class on April 5 was stained glass painting. The cost was $2.50 per child to cover the cost of supplies.
Although walk-ins are accepted, it's best to sign up ahead, because space is limited, Jarosz said.
"We both said it would be nice to bring back 'old school' stuff for the kids to do instead of sitting and playing video games," Straub said.
Children are allowed to come without parents, too.
"Age appropriate, of course," Straub said.
The next class is Necklace Making from 4-5:30 p.m. on April 9. The cost is $2.
Straub and Jarosz also offer Cherubs and Chocolate - milk chocolate candy bars in a personalized wrapper for special occasions.
Straub is able to make hundreds of different wrappers to fit any occasion, including weddings, birthday parties and holidays. Customers may choose the designs, the font and the wording - or leave it up to Straub to design.
But The Lion and The Unicorn is more than a resale store. It's also a kids arts and craft center.
Owners DeeAnna Straub of Brodhead and Beth Jarosz of Monroe have been friends for 16 years; they worked together at Swiss Colony.
Straub got the idea for a resale store for kids clothing after she saw a similar store in Madison.
The idea is excellent for parents who haven't the time or energy to sell the items.
"We purchase everything outright," Straub said. "People can bring in their clothes and we give them a call back in about 24 to 48 hours with a bid. They can either accept or decline."
Boys and girls clothes up to size 16 are accepted.
All the clothes are inspected and washed before being put out for sale. Any items that are a bit stained or not up to Straub and Jarosz's standards are resold on the "Quarter Racks."
But selling clothes was not enough for Straub and Jarosz.
"We wanted something for the kids to do," Jarosz said.
In a back room, children can step up to The Lion and The Unicorn's arts and crafts classes. The first class on April 5 was stained glass painting. The cost was $2.50 per child to cover the cost of supplies.
Although walk-ins are accepted, it's best to sign up ahead, because space is limited, Jarosz said.
"We both said it would be nice to bring back 'old school' stuff for the kids to do instead of sitting and playing video games," Straub said.
Children are allowed to come without parents, too.
"Age appropriate, of course," Straub said.
The next class is Necklace Making from 4-5:30 p.m. on April 9. The cost is $2.
Straub and Jarosz also offer Cherubs and Chocolate - milk chocolate candy bars in a personalized wrapper for special occasions.
Straub is able to make hundreds of different wrappers to fit any occasion, including weddings, birthday parties and holidays. Customers may choose the designs, the font and the wording - or leave it up to Straub to design.