Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

Joyce Doyle Barnwell of MA-MA Sales.
Joyce Doyle Barnwell of MA-MA Sales.

MA-MA Sales is returning to Lewiston this weekend

by jmaloni
Wed, Mar 7th 2012 12:45 pm

The children, women, and maternity seasonal consignment sale that began in Lewiston four years ago and has since relocated to Lockport, returns this weekend. MA-MA Sales will take place March 9 to 11 at First Presbyterian Church, 505 Cayuga St.

Organizer Joyce Doyle Barnwell said the sale is free to shop and stroller-friendly.

"We get about 50 moms who bring their items to us to sell," she said. "They are in charge of their own inventory and get it ready for the sale. Consignors sign up on our Web page and get a consignor number. They put their inventory into the computer and print out their tags. They prepare their items and tag them. On Friday, they drop off their items between 10:30 and 12:30."

Shoppers aren't the only ones who benefit from the consignment sale.

"Consignors earn 65 percent of their total sales," Barnwell said. "If our moms can volunteer to work a three-hour shift, they earn 70 percent. (If they) sign up for a second shift, they earn 75 percent of their total sales. It's a great opportunity for moms to not only save a lot of money, but make money by selling the items their family no longer needs."

MA-MA Sales is environmentally friendly, too.

"This is also a 'green' business, because we are recycling items instead of sending them into the landfill," Barnwell said. "Shopping locally and keeping our donations local is also another way we are helping the environment." 

Visitors to First Presbyterian Church may be shocked at what they see this weekend.

"We will be transforming the basement of the church into a department store that sells everything from clothing, toys, books, games, to furniture, strollers and bedding - all at a fraction of their original retail price," Barnwell said. "Many items are new with tags and all of them are in excellent condition. It is one-stop shopping for all your family needs."

In addition, "We also have a group of mom vendors participating in our sale. We like to promote businesses run by other moms," Barnwell said. "There will be two doulas educating about their services, a Pampered Chef representative, a Mary Kay representative, a Thirty-One Gifts representative, a woman who paints murals, a mom who makes hair accessories, as well as a mom selling scarves at our sale."

Sale hours are from 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, and from noon until 3 p.m. on Sunday (with 50 percent off select items).

"Our moms can donate their unsold items after the sale or pick them up to sell them elsewhere. Our donations will be going to benefit Niagara Family Services," Barnwell said.

MA-MA Sales will hold a spring/summer sale in Lockport at Victory Christian Church, 6886 S. Transit Road, from 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 30, and from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 31. For more information, visit www.mamasales.com

For those who are interested in selling items, "We are still accepting consignors," Barnwell said. "Interested moms can sign up at www.mamasales.com

Hometown News

View All News