State Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39) and her business partner are launching a new maternity and children’s consignment boutique in Del Ray this weekend.
Bennett-Parker and Allie Rubinoff, who both live in Del Ray, will launch Little Chickadee with a pop-up event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (June 13) at Gustave Boulangerie (2213 Mount Vernon Avenue). Bennett-Parker said that the boutique will operate mostly online from a space above Mulberry Lane.
Bennett-Parker told ALXnow that the business satisfies a need for cheap maternity clothing, kids clothes and gear, since the closing of the Bellies and Babies consignment shop in Del Ray at the end of 2024.
“When Bellies and Babies closed, there was a real void in our community,” Bennett-Parker said. “That loss made it clear how much a service like this was needed, and some of us started talking about if and how we could fill that gap. I think that it was clear how much families in Del Ray and in Alexandria valued having that kind of resource locally, and we hope that Little Chickadee can carry that forward.”
Rubinoff, who has two kids, was laid off from her work as a public health director for a government contractor. Before venturing into public health for a decade, Rubinoff was a television producer for the Oprah Winfrey Network and Bravo Media.
“I felt this desire, when the world is sort of feeling scary and out of whack, that I wanted to like feel more connected to my amazing community that we live in,” Rubinoff said. “Parents are constantly buying because kids are growing and they outgrow their clothes or they’re done with this toy.”
Bennett-Parker said that she, Rubinoff and their small team of volunteers are looking for stain-free, gently used items.
If the business takes off, Bennett-Parker said she’ll consider opening a permanent brick-and-mortar location.
“Down the road we would love to have a brick and mortar, because that would give us the ability to do more in-person community building and things for moms and families, activities, or events, classes,” Bennett-Parker said.
Consigners can book an appointment with Little Chickadee, then arrange to drop off clothing or gear.
According to the consignment agreement:
You will receive 35% of the selling price minus the item fee for most items. You will receive 50% of the selling price minus the item fee for strollers, cribs, and furniture. Items up to $30 have a one-dollar item fee, items $30 and above have a two-dollar item fee.
Bennett-Parker was elected to the Virginia Senate in a February special election. She was previously a state delegate for four years and vice mayor of Alexandria. She was also the co-director of nonprofit Together We Bake from 2016 to 2022.
