Children's Orchard Handpicks Children's Items For Resale

SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI (Tuesday, May 10, 2005) - Danny Morris and Christine Gosch, who are married employ two buyers who examine every piece of clothing, shoe, toy and stroller the store purchases from the public. Zippers, snaps, buttons and parts must all be in place with no defects or tears in order to be purchased by the resale shop. The owners are looking for salability in the used items, said Christine Gosch; brand doesn't always determine if an item will sell but style and cleanliness do.

Gosch and Morris also sell new toys and clothing.

Difference from competitors: Christine Gosch said first-time customers often don't realize most of the merchandise is used until they see the prices. The owners focus on maintaining a retail atmosphere, not a thrift shop.

How business started: Christine Gosch is an emergency room physician, a wife and a mother of three. She grew up in a retail business and said the experience gave her a sense of responsibility and a place to go. Gosch sold her own children's toys and clothing on eBay after they had outgrown them and saw the business potential in the resale market. The Children's Orchard made the deal so appealing to purchase a franchise that she couldn't pass it up, said Gosch.

Danny Morris also had a retail background. He worked for 15 years at Service Merchandise. Morris and Nick Cox own a traveling concession business, which sells frozen lemonade and funnel cakes. Morris traveled with his business quite a bit until he sustained a back injury -- now he focuses on the Children's Orchard.

Gosch and Morris had little flexibility and gruelling schedules and needed something that they could work with and raise their three children. The resale shop allows them to invest in the long term and provides the consistency and stability a family needs.

The owners have rapidly grown the business and rose in the ranks of the franchise. They recently placed number two out of 100 stores, only behind Laguna Beach, Calif.

Roots of success: Both of the owners have worked very hard and have high expectations of what they would want in a resale or retail store.

Christine Gosch said they have higher standards but not higher prices.

Toughest part of business: The couple has a hard time getting away from the business. Hiring good people helps them get a break and focus on their lives.

Most rewarding: Happy shoppers and regular customers make the work worthwhile, said Danny Morris.

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