About
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Who We Are ? Shortly About Us
At Kiddie Swap & Play, family isn't just our business – it's who we are. As parents of nine wonderful children, owners Carmen and Jose Blanchard understand the unique challenges growing families face. When we moved to Carbondale in 2024, we saw an opportunity to create something special: a space where families could gather, children could play, and parents could shop smart.
Our journey as a blended family taught us valuable lessons about community, affordability, and the constant cycle of children's needs. We know firsthand how quickly kids outgrow their clothes and toys, and how expensive it can be to keep up. That's why we created a welcoming consignment store where families can buy and sell quality children's items at reasonable prices.
But we wanted more than just a store – we envisioned a community hub where families could spend quality time together. Our indoor playground offers year-round entertainment, whether it's open play sessions, birthday celebrations, or private events. Parents can shop while their children play, or join them in creating precious memories. We even host parent date nights, giving you the break you deserve while your kids enjoy supervised fun.
At Kiddie Swap & Play, we believe in:
Building community connections
Making quality children's items accessible to all families
Providing safe, engaging play spaces
Creating opportunities for family bonding
Supporting sustainable shopping through consignment
Visit us to experience a family-friendly space designed by a family who understands your journey. Let's grow together!
Our History
Carmen and Jose Blanchard's journey to opening Kiddie Swap & Play began with their own blended family of nine children. After years in a bustling city, they dreamed of providing their children with a better quality of life in a close-knit community. In 2024, they chose Carbondale, Illinois, attracted by its excellent schools and family-friendly atmosphere.
The concept for Kiddie Swap & Play emerged from their personal experiences juggling the constant needs of their growing children. Managing clothes, toys, and entertainment for nine kids taught them valuable lessons about affordability and sustainability. They noticed Carbondale lacked both an indoor play space and an affordable children's consignment store.
Drawing from their background in business and family management, Carmen and Jose developed their unique shop-and-play model. They transformed a vacant commercial space into a welcoming environment combining sustainable shopping with active play.
Kiddie Swap & Play opened its doors in [Month] 2024, becoming Carbondale's first combination consignment store and indoor playground. The business represents their commitment to creating accessible, affordable family experiences while building stronger community connections.
Our Mission
Our mission at Kiddie Swap & Play is to create an affordable, sustainable, and inclusive family destination in Carbondale where community meets convenience. As parents of nine, we understand the financial and practical challenges families face. We aim to:
Through our dual-purpose space, we strive to be more than a business – we're building a community hub where lasting memories and friendships are made, and where families can thrive together.