Market aimed at helping parents

ANNA Wallace and Liz Denley are providing a solution to a problem all parents have to face - and are helping parents-to-be at the same time.

The sisters-in-law and mums from Ballina will on May 19 hold their first North Coast Kids and Babies Market at the Lennox Head Cultural and Community Centre.

The market, with up to 40 stalls, will allow parents to sell pre-loved baby toys and accessories that their children have grown out of - and clean up the garage or the former-infants' room.

And for parents-to-be, it's an opportunity to buy a pram or toys for their newborn.

The pair said that these kinds of markets were popular in cities.

The market is focusing on items for the 0-6 years age group.

Anna, a mum-of-one, said: "Garage sales can be hit or miss. At least here, they know people are looking for that sort of thing."

Already the 20 pre-loved stalls for the first market have just about all been booked out.

You can get a few people together to book one stall site, which costs $35.

The other 20 stalls will sell new hand-made baby goods.

There also will be food stalls and entertainment.

While the market is being run as a business by the two mums, they said they also would allow space at each market for local community groups, like preschools and playgroups, to fundraise.

The market will be held on the third Saturday of every second month from 9am to 1pm.

For more information, see the website northcoastkidsbabies market.com.

Phone Anna on 0404 085 622 or Liz on 0432 073 760.