Building the Valley: Yesterday's Kidz offers top-notch resale items in Tarentum

Joyce McElwain said she’s guaranteed to be in a good mood at work.

“When I get here and look at these little clothes, I smile,” said McElwain of Arnold.

She opened a children’s consignment shop in Tarentum this month with business partner and friend Lisa Marnell of Apollo.

Yesterday’s Kidz Resale Boutique is at 312 E. Sixth Ave., in the space formerly occupied by The Buzz smoothie bar.

That shop closed after a 2023 fire.

Marnell said the inventory is top-notch, despite most of it being found or donated.

“We’re real picky about what we have,” she said. “Everything is tear-free, stain-free.”

The newly remodeled space is filled with frilly pink bathing suits, Mickey Mouse tops and Velcro tennis shoes. Dozens of racks are packed with new and gently used items.

There are purses, barrettes, sunglasses, toys and backpacks.

“We want to give back to the community,” McElwain said. “We know things are tough and people can’t just go and load up at a regular store.”

McElwain, 72, and Marnell, 56, said the timing was right to launch their resale shop.

The pair have been friends for more than two decades and share a passion for “picking” — perusing thrift shops for treasures.

Marnell, who grew up in the Greensburg area, works as a fine jewelry manager at JC Penney in Westmoreland Mall. She recently reduced her workload to part time.

McElwain retired about 10 years ago as a medical transcriptionist and has since taken on several small entrepreneurial roles. It was a short stint at resale shop June Bug Babies in New Kensington that prompted her to think big.

“I thought about opening a store and approached Lisa, and we had no hesitation,” McElwain said.

Adding to their inspiration are their own growing families. McElwain has a great granddaughter and Marnell has a grandchild on the way.

If all goes as planned, the friends have big plans for their new space.

“We’re hoping it’s so successful that we’re able to open a space next door,” McElwain said. “I’m thinking country emporium.”

Other ideas include buying used clothes from customers, selling penny candy and offering activities to entertain children so adults can shop hassle free.

The redesigned space has a garage door that abuts Sixth Avenue, making it the perfect spot for McElwain and Marnell to sell coffee and pastries.

Marnell, who fosters dogs at Tails of Hope in Trafford, hopes to donate some of the proceeds to the animal rescue.

“I can’t tell you how many people have stopped and said this kind of store will be such an asset,” McElwain said.

“I think it’s just what Tarentum needs. I believe God has had a handprint on our store.”