Meet LACH: This entrepreneur created an online marketplace for children’s and maternity clothes

When Kimberly Davis cleaned out her closet, the maternity and children’s clothes started piling up.

She thought about how much money she had already spent on clothes that were worn for a fairly short amount of time, and how much more money she was going to spend as her two children continued to grow.

It led to an entrepreneurial thought: She should figure out a way to support the next round of toys and clothes.

That became LACH.

The online marketplace, pronounced like “latch,” is designed as a place to buy and sell pre-owned — or “preloved” — clothes. It’s broken down into three categories: maternity clothing, baby clothing and accessories, or baby gear and toys.

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Through the marketplace, users who want to sell can create listings and complete transactions themselves. The clothes can also be dropped with one of the company’s consignment specialists in person. With the marketplace live, Davis is also building a mobile app that will offer the same contents as the web-based edition.

There’s another dimension to the business: Along with providing a place to resell items, Davis said, the founder is also interested in building community.

“My vision for LACH is that it’s more than just a marketplace,” she said. “The company itself is going to focus on empowering mothers and creating community among mothers.”

Accordingly, the app will offer tips and advice, as well as a way to chat with likeminded people.

And Davis is extending this idea IRL as well: She plans to hold regular pop-up events that function as an extension of what’s available online.

The next event will be March 24 from noon to 4 p.m. at Truth, Mind & Body in Sparks, Md. Davis said a key theme of the event is self-care, so facials and mini-massages will be available. A listing station will also be on hand where users can add clothes to the marketplace — and, Davis added, Flavor Cupcakery is supplying baked goods.