Ground Floor: Idea for Cedar Rapids store born from owner’s real estate career

An observation Robin Meister-Weaver made many times throughout her career as a Realtor led to the creation of her new business, Polka Dots & Denim.

“In staging young couples' homes for sale, inevitably there are piles of children's stuff left over,” Meister-Weaver said. “The big question always is what to do with it all. And they always tell me, ‘I don't have time for a garage sale.'”

When her son and his wife were expecting their first child a couple of years ago, Meister-Weaver took a friend's suggestion to shop at consignment stores for baby things to keep at her home. She realized that a consignment store specializing in children's clothing and accessories would be the perfect solution for all of those clients with too much stuff.

“The idea played over and over in my head,” Meister-Weaver said.

Finally, six months ago, she decided to take action.

Because real estate remains her first love and primary occupation, the first thing Meister-Weaver needed was someone to help her in her new business endeavor.  That's where fellow real estate agent Sharon Danielson came in.

“I knew Sharon was contemplating leaving real estate, so I went to her and asked if she would partner with me,” Meister-Weaver said. “She was interested.”

Meister-Weaver brought out the research she had been collecting since the idea first came to her, and the women sifted through it with a view to how they could do consignment better.

They opened Polka Dots & Denim on Sept. 1 at 4333 Czech Lane NE in Cedar Rapids.

The children's consignment store offers gently used children's clothing and accessories from newborn to size 6 sold on a consignment basis. The shop also has a large selection of new learning toys from the Melissa & Doug line as well as handcrafted gift items.

With a background in interior design and years of experience staging homes for sale, Meister-Weaver paid close attention to the store's layout and what customers see when they enter the shop. She created the “Tutu Cute” wall of colorful tutus as one focal point.

“We have a more boutique-y feel than a traditional consignment store,” she said. “We have a lot of fun, beautifully crafted things at the front of the store to make a good first impression.”

The handcrafted items include things like crocheted hats, denim crayon totes, chalkboard mats, and tie-dyed onesies.

“We tried to find unique things as well as necessities in a broad range of price points from five dollars and up,” Meister-Weaver said.

Meister-Weaver and Danielson place a high priority on quality control. They physically inspect each consigned item to make sure it meets their standards.

While the shop is not brand-specific, they are most excited to receive brands that are not offered elsewhere in Cedar Rapids.

Another priority is maintaining a family-friendly environment. It's not unusual for Danielson to sit down and read a book to a young customer while mom shops.

“We're very relationship-oriented,” Meister-Weaver said. “We want to know our customers by name.”

AT A GLANCE:

• Business: Polka Dots & Denim
• Owners: Robin Meister-Weaver and Sharon Danielson
• Address: 4333 Czech Lane NE, Suite B1, Cedar Rapids
• Phone: (319) 294-2222
• Website: polkadotsanddenim.com