Bella Stella

Wow, I am surprised by some of these reviews. A children’s consignment store doesn’t get much better than this. I love taking my children’s used clothes in for trade. Getting 50% of the selling price is the best deal out there for resale shops. If you read on the website the kind of items they are looking for, you will have pretty good luck selling your stuff. If you take lower in brands or items that are worn or out of season, they wont take them. That seems pretty reasonable. If they choose to not buy your item, don’t take it personal.
With that being said, I think the prices are super reasonable. I always find super cute stuff for my kids.
Its amazing that they allow you to use the store credit for new items as well.
I always enjoy chatting with the staff here. They have always been super friendly and patient with my children.
We love Bella Stella! This is a great local business!

I really dig this place. My son is 6 months old and I have been coming since a friend brought me here when I was pregnant. I have not sold anything yet but plan on it. I have however bought several super cute items and have felt with the owner and a couple of other employees and all have been great. My kid looks cute and I have a few more dollars left in my wallet– that’s a win/​win!

So far, the only baby resale place I’d go back to. It’s a good mix of used and new. The new stuff is pretty expensive, but with limited time it’s nice to just be able to go and pick up some stuff you need along with browsing little tiny shirts and shoes. Already have my eye on cloth training pants.

I am so torn on this place.
It’s a really nice resale store. It’s in my hood. It’s clean and nicely lit. They carry up to toddler sizes and maternity clothes. They’ve got a really nice selection of new clothes, art supplies, new games/​books/​toys as well as the used stuff. I love that they have some t-​shirts from Portland/​Washington artists. Fun! I found a barely used raincoat here (that actually made me squeal it was so damn cute) and the raddest (is raddest a word?) pair of boots for my little boy and I’m super picky (specific?) about clothes. Everything I looked at was in good shape and clean. They carry lots of different brands, which I like, I don’t only want snooty designer brands. I just want cute… and folks… LOTS of makers make cute shit. Stop being a snob. Things I didn’t like (but grudgingly accept) Their prices are a little high IMO. Their boys section for boys over two is pretty weak. Bummer since I have a five year old boy.
Selling: Bella Stella doesn’t give out cash, they only take stuff for trade. There are upsides and downsides to this. Downside… no cash. Face it, that’s a bummer. Upside: you get immediate gratification, you can use your credits right away in the store on new or used merchandise or you can save your credit and use it anytime, it doesn’t expire. No waiting for three to six months to see if they sell your stuff. No having to go and pick up the unsold items. That’s pretty great. I just sold a ton of stuff there and was able to buy my son’s and nephew’s birthday and Christmas gifts.
Something I shouldn’t complain about but I’m gonna: it really irks me the whole «we only buy seasonal stuff» crapola. Especially when it comes to Fall and Winter. Dudes. Fall and Winter are the same fucking season in Portland. I should actually know. I was born and raised here unlike the rest of you yahoos who think you know all the shit about PDX. So guys… seriously… buy a sweater off me in September, you’re going to need it, …like tomorrow night. GAWD.
ANYWAY I digress.
The major thing I don’t like about this place is that some of the women who work there I just. frankly…can’t stand. The last time I was there the woman was perfectly lovely. Took my stuff, looked at it, told me what they wanted to buy and how much my credits were and gave me back the rejects. Perfection. This is EXACTLY as it should be. BUT. the time before that, a different woman helped me and my god, she was really obnoxious. She commented on nearly everything. Saying at one point, «no one would buy this.» I’m a really nice girl, but honestly I just wanted to say, «Well I did bitch.» I didn’t though… (nice girl remember). And trust me, my stuff was mostly much nicer than most of the stuff in the store. Regardless, if she didn’t want it, she could have just put it into the «no thanks» pile. She was a major turn off.
YOU DON’T WORK AT BARNEYS. Get a major grip and get over yourself.
I still recommend it.

Great selection, very reasonable prices on used items! I was having a bit of a swimsuit dilemma — do I splurge for a new one I might outgrow in a few months? Or keep wearing the one I have that’s getting snug already? — and found one that was good as new for $ 8 plus a bunch of cute dresses all for under $ 20. They have new stuff too and helpful but not overbearing staff.

The purpose of my visit was to look for high end maternity clothes and 90% of the rack was Liz Lange for Target, the other 10% was gap and old navy. I was expecting the brands that I buy at Nordstroms (Olian, Rosie Pope, Paige, etc…) and that definitely was not the case. Obviously as a resale shop, every time you visit there will be different merchandise, but according to their website I was not expecting to even see these cheap brands.

After selling back clothing with Bella Stella many times, I will add a couple things:
1) what they take back depends on the person buying back and what mood they’re in that day
2) I started noticing brands on the rack they swore they would never take (Target brands)
3) I also started noticing more clothes in dingy condition
4) the boys section is absolutely horrible

Bella Stella has a great selection of used clothing, accessories (like bottles), and toys. The gals who work/​own the place are always helpful and friendly. We’ve gotten plenty of scores here from nice toddler shoes to play sets. Bella Stella is always our go to first stop when we need something, we often get what we’re looking for at the best price.

I shopped here quite a bit when I was pregnant and when my daughter was little. I basically stopped going because the location is so terrible — finding parking is a nightmare and it is on a very busy street so not super fun to wrangle a toddler once you have parked. If I had been finding and purchasing items I really loved it might have been worth it but I found better options that are less of a hassle to get in and out of. It is also really overcrowded and difficult to navigate. I have gotten some good deals on kids clothes out of the dollar bin though.

I’ve gotten so many used cloth diapers here! Best selection of wool covers. If you’re shopping for second-​hand items, it can be hit or miss, but they do carry fab baby brands like Kate Quinn Organics, American Apparel, Baby Gap, Nordstrom, and more, so you never know what you’re going to find. I once found a $ 16 cardigan for just $ 5 in great condition. The great part about selling your baby’s used clothes here is that the trade-​in value you get can be used on ANYTHING in the store, including new stuff, like Hape toys or Zebi Baby.

This is my favorite resale store. I recently purchased one of the new Ergo 360 carriers and was pleased with the helpful staff and my awesome new carrier! I get compliments on it all the time, and always direct the person asking to Bella Stella. In addition to a good selection in baby carriers they also have lots of new wood toys, nursery/​big kid room décor, books, and kid art supplies. This is on top of a wonderful selection of gently used and stylish children’s clothing, shoes, and maternity clothes. The shop may be small but they have managed to fill it with quality items. It’s easy to spend my resale credit there quickly!
I shopped at this store prior to the new ownership and have to say that you can tell the new owners have put some love into making it their own and improving some former issues. Fresh paint, a bathroom remodel, new lighting, and organization have improved an already great store. This will continue to be my go-​to place for cute kids clothes, birthday gifts, and more.

I think this is the best resale store in Portland (and I have been to several). They have a good selection of quality used clothes, shoes and gear, plus some maternity clothes. Also, they have a cute assortment of new toys and specialty items to spend your credit on if you don’t find what you want in the used clothes. Of all the places I have brought my used items to sell, they always buy the most (although they are still really picky about brands). All of the employees I have met are very friendly and helpful. And my kids love shopping there because of their cute play corner! I should have written a review years ago but was extra motivated after my last visit. Apparently, there was an owner change and the place looks great! Much cleaner and more organized with the same great selection and friendly staff.

This is one of the bigger places in town to buy used baby stuff. They have some maternity stuff, but frankly it would be cheaper on sale at a chair store. I try to support small businesses but we pregnant ladies really wear out out favorites.
The baby and kids clothing is solid. They have the basic chain brands and some fancy ones. The sale section is worth checking. The carriers are mixed. Some are only a little cheaper than they would be used.
The sales help has treacly improved and is now awesome.

Love this store! My son and I go all the time on our little walks. They have great clothing and I’ve found some really fun toys that he loves. Not to mention it’s so much better then buying new things that he’ll out grow in a week, and helping the planet.

LOVE this store! The new owners are making in house improvements that are already working (better display layout, lighting, etc). Every employee always seems to genuinely enjoy working there, and are super upbeat. And helpful! They know their inventory front to back, and if they don’t have what you’re looking for, know how to get it.
The return policy is strict (store credit only) but fair. It’s a consignment shop overall, so the fact that they allow returns at all is amazing.

It’s really unfortunate. Bella Stella has so much going for it. Unfortunately, every experience we have there turns out negative. It’s not that they are in a bad location or have poor products, in fact, their location and products are exactly what we need, close to our house, assorted baby gear. It’s just that every experience there somehow turns negative.
Take for example the policy that you can only return items for store credit. Understood, you’re a consignment shop, for your used merchandise, you would have a short return window, fine, for store credit only, whatever. But what about when a customer buys new merchandise, than finds out that the partner has purchased the same thing for a better price? In this case, we tried to return a new piece of merchandise, with the original tags attached, with the receipt, two days later. Store credit? Seriously? What if I don’t want to shop at your store anymore?
Last month, Moda Health refunded two-​months of unused healthcare that the federal government mandated that I have. Bella Stella doesn’t have the courtesy to put a new item back on the shelf and sell it again. That’s an economic policy that says «customers are suckers.» In this case, they got us for $ 22, but I’m happy to say that they’ll never get the chance to rip us off this new family again.

The prices are a little high for a consignment shop in my opinion– and I shop at a lot of consignment shops.
PROS:
toys and baby products that are new — they have a great selection.
Not tax
I was greeted upon entering.
CONS:
The lighting in the area were the clothes are in isn’t the best and you may miss stainging or spots.
I found a lot of the pants I wanted to buy had spots and weren’t worth the asking price.
If you are short you will have a hard time reaching the top rack to inspect the clothes.
I left with 1 pair of pants for my son. The owner was nice and personable– I just wish the quality of clothes matched the asking price. I’m from Seattle and may return if we are in the area– but won’t make a special trip out.

I really like this place. The resale clothes and gear are in good and clean condition (I’ve found multiple items new with tags for a fraction of the price they’re still on the rack for at BabyGap, etc) and the staff is always professional and friendly. I’m surprised to read other reviewers didn’t have the same experience, I think I’m pretty choosy. In fairness, I have only been in a few times in early 2014, and most resale places tend to be feast or famine in terms of finds, as is their nature.
The place isn’t huge and is pretty densely packed, but it’s fairly organized and straightforward to find the items or sizes one needs, so that doesn’t bother me.
I’ve also sold here a couple times. As a busy mom of a toddler, I SUPER appreciate that they don’t have complicated rules and processes as far as which dates/​times they accept clothes. You just bring it in whenever they’re open. That system meets my poor planning tendencies (see: busy mom of a toddler) very well. They took a decent amount of my BabyGap and Tea brand items (fair warning, they didn’t take any Carter’s Target brands, etc etc, even in great condition, so don’t bother lugging them in, IMO… not sure why nearly all PDX baby clothing resale stores turn up collective noses at Carter’s and Target. Maybe just too cheap to profit on reselling? Not enough birds on their onesies, perhaps. In any case, got a fair price for what they did take.)
Their prices are great, especially for the quality of the items. One note: I read on their site that they are now accepting resale regardless of season, which I was very excited about (I don’t have the patience/​storage to store boxes of outgrown baby clothes for 9 months) but I overheard a salesperson there telling another customer they only buy for the current season.
All in all, a sweet little locally-​owned store that I’m excited to visit again soon whenever I’m in the neighborhood (and remembered to chuck our box of outgrown baby clothes in the car).

The quality of the clothing here is pretty bad. The condition is really rough — more like what you would expect from a thrift store than a consignment store where they have supposedly weeded out the bad stuff. I don’t care how high-​end the brand, I am not going to pay more than a few dollars for pilled, wash worn sweaters and stained shirts. There are some items in better condition but you have to wade through a lot of junk to find them (this place is packed to the limits!) and they are priced pretty high. I would like this place better if they would get rid of at least half their stock and start being choosier about what items they buy. Sometimes less is more! It feels like way too much work to shop here. If I am going to dig through piles of crummy clothes to get to a few treasures, I would rather do it at Goodwill where at least the cheap prices make the effort worth it!

Bella Stella has changed hands a few times since I started going there when my kiddo was a lot smaller.
The last couple times I was in, I thought the quality of the clothing wasn’t as nice as it could be, and I didn’t find anything I really wanted.
That’s kind of sad to me, they have a great location and they used to have really good stuff when the original lady opened it.
It’s not on my side of town, so I don’t think I will be making the trip over here again soon.