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KINGSTON — Lenny Davies brings in coffee for his girlfriend, Cayla Cordes, and his cousin, Lennae Thompson, as his daughter, 2-year-old Addisyn Davies, busies herself with toys sprawled on the floor.
It’s a quiet morning in the space, akin to a living room complete with a fireplace, as the family members chat and tease one another.
But they’re not at home.
It’s a regular occurrence at Brody’s Closet, a children’s consignment store that opened Nov. 5 in the borough.
The store features boys’ and girls’ clothing of all sizes up to and including size 14 for boys and size 16 for girls, as well as accessories. It also sells toys, high chairs, strollers, tubs and other necessities for babies and toddlers.
“Addisyn is the toy tester,” said Cordes.
Owner and matriarch Wendy Thompson said she spent most of her life as a stay-at-home mother, so to be surrounded by family all the time is not a difficult transition as she makes her foray into the business world.
Wendy Thompson said she and Cordes came up with the idea of starting a consignment shop on a whim.
“I don’t think we were serious at first,” said Wendy Thompson. “We were just bored, and we went for rides looking for a place. And finally I said, ‘Instead of talking about opening (a store), let’s just do it.’”
She fell in love with the site, located at 845 Wyoming Ave., where Gertude Hawk Chocolates was located prior to moving across the street.
“I thought it was very homey and cozy,” she said.
Wendy Thompson quickly realized the store filled a need in the community. She said they opened with no inventory at all, and after advertising their need for clothing and toys, the racks and shelves were quickly filled with merchandise.
“I never realized how much people shop consignment,” she said. “It’s been amazing.”
Three of her four children — Lennae, Laura and Ross Thompson — are fixtures at Brody’s Closet, helping when they can. Lennae and Laura are in college and work other jobs, and Ross is a senior at Holy Redeemer High School.
The eldest child, Sarah Herbert-Hannick, lives in Pen Argyl with her family, which includes the store’s namesake, Brody.
According to his aunts, 8-year-old Brody Hannick is well aware his name adorns the sign on the shop and that he is the apple of Wendy Thompson’s eye.
“He is my mom’s first and only grandchild,” said Lennae Thompson.
A grand opening will be held from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, featuring cupcakes and hot chocolate for guests, visits from Santa Claus and the closet owner himself — Brody.
“When he comes here, he says, ‘All this for me,’” joked Wendy Thompson.
She also said there will be a discount tree during the event. Customers can pick an ornament from the Christmas tree set up in the shop, which will reveal their discount at check out.
The rest of the family will be in attendance, as well.
“That’s what’s great about this place,” said Lennae Thompson. “All of our family is all here to annoy each other all the time.”
