SOUTH STRAFFORD — Jenny Joy’s has set up shop, literally, in the space of South Strafford clothing consignment store Agatha’s. But with diminutive raincoats and palm-sized slippers, the pop-up is aiming its sartorial eye at a younger clientele.

Started by two former roller derby teammates, Jenny Joy’s takes its name from a character in a Shel Silverstein poem. The store is open until April 15, on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. After that, the pair’s merchandise will be relegated to just a corner of Agatha’s – but for now Jenny Joy’s has got the run of the place.

“I really like vintage kids clothes – all the teeny, hand-knitted items someone’s grandmother put together” said Marisa Donovan, who runs the store with Brooke Wilkinson. “I love all the funky corduroy and stripes and bright rainbow colors of the 70s that have made a comeback.”

But consigning children’s clothes does more than serve fickle fashion tastes, Donovan said. It’s foremost a practical choice.

“It makes a lot of sense from a sustainability and recycling standpoint, not to spend so much money on clothes your kids are just going to outgrow,” she said. “Still, it takes time to find quality items that are still in good shape after kids have gone through them. It’s not in everyone’s wheelhouse to want to go out and find the bargains.”

Instead, the pair — who admit to enjoying the hunt anyway — suggests shoppers let the two friends do the looking.

The two women pay consignors cash on the spot, 25% of what they plan to sell the item for and tries to “keep prices pretty reasonable,” Donovan said. Most items in the store sell for between $4 and $12.

Jenny Joy’s is also a way for old friends to spend some time together. Donovan, 41, and Wilkinson, 45, met a decade ago competing in roller derby, skating for the Upper Valley Vixens, in Claremont.

Donovan, of Thetford, and Wilkinson, of Strafford, both work full-time at other jobs; Donovan is the director of development for “Finding Our Stride,” an Upper Valley nonprofit that organizes afterschool running programs. Wilkinson is a music educator at the Newton School, in Strafford.

The bulk of the initial stock in Jenny Joy’s came from the clothing collections that they started building up for their own children.

“I had two kids, and so I saved all of my oldest child’s clothes for my youngest child,” Wilkinson said. “But you never know what they’re going to like, once they start having their own opinion — so I saved everything. I knew I would have a next time around.”

Customers are most excited by Patagonia and other high-end, popular labels, Donovan said. She and Wilkinson try to source recognizable brands, and other pieces that “are fun and bright and well-made.”

Wilkinson was glad to turn her natural treasure-hunting inclination into a local enterprise, she said.

“There’s nothing like this in our town,” she said. “Places like this are few and far between if you live out in the country. A lot of times when people go to Lebanon from here it’s like – I’m going to grocery shop and then I’m going to go home.”

With Agatha’s owner, Jess Tidman, out of town for a few months, the duo took the opportunity to execute their vision. To keep it viable, the pop-up shop only pops up when they’ve got the time for it.

Word has gotten around, Donovan said. “We’re a tiny town, and we’re a tiny little corner of a tiny town.”

But Wilkinson is hoping to expand the scope.

“I’d love to potentially expand the idea and maybe work directly with schools to help clothe some students,” she said.”I want to take this and share it with a wider audience. Bring clothes to others, and not just have them come to me in certain hours.”

Jenny Joy’s is located inside of Agatha’s, at 220 Main St. in South Strafford.

Beginning April 15, Agatha’s will be open Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s open Saturday’s from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Frances Mize is a Report for America corps  me mber. She can be reached at fmize@vnews.com or 603-727-3242.

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