Sofie (33) starts a second-hand children’s shop in Mariakerke: “I was shocked to put everything on Vinted” (Ghent)

Mariakerke has a new children’s shop and that is more than welcome, after Bollebuik closed its doors. In Keppies, Sofie De Mulder (33) sells second-hand clothes for children from 0 to 8 years old, maternity clothes and toys. She wants to open a permanent store in May.

“I was trained as a midwife and psychiatric nurse,” Sofie De Mulder begins from her new, well-stocked store. “For nine years I worked in a center for young mothers with psychological problems.” At that time, the Ghent native also had two children of her own, Nova and Liza, so she collected a lot of clothes.

Just like her brother who had three children. “We were afraid to put everything on Vinted,” says De Mulder. “That’s how I came up with the idea of ​​starting a pop-up.” A few meters from her door, on the Brugsesteenweg opposite the De Dapper bakery. (Read more below the photo)

The pop-up was given the striking name Keppies – De Mulder’s husband Pieter is from West Flanders, that’s why – and opened its doors a few weeks ago. The racks contain second-hand clothes for children from 0 to 8 years old and maternity clothes. Around it there are second-hand toys, a park, a co-sleeper and a maxi-cosi.

“I insist that everything is in good condition,” says De Mulder. “The clothes must not have holes in them, they must not be worn, and they must not be from Primark or a similar brand. I ask about a third of the original price, so no flea market prices. The ‘bringers in’ get 40 percent of that.” (Read more below the photo)

For the time being, the store is open one day a week, as De Mulder combines the pop-up with another job as a midwife. From November 22, the doors will be open two days a week: on Wednesday (from 1 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.) and on Friday (from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.).

“The pop-up has been very successful so far,” says De Mulder proudly. “That’s why I’m opening a permanent store in Kempstraat from May, next to the Fluweelparkje, still in Mariakerke. Since it is smaller there, I will only sell children’s clothing and toys in the regular store, but still of good quality.”

INFO: Keppies, Brugsesteenweg 528. Instagram: keppies_