Posted May 7, 2025. The Kiddie Closet Exchange, 139 South Second Street, opened for business on Wednesday, May 1, and held its grand opening on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Raton MainStreet was on hand to continue the tradition of presenting the Key to the City to the newest business to open in Raton. It is a traveling key that will be displayed in the Kiddie Closet Exchange until another new business opens in downtown Raton when it will then be presented to that business. Grow Raton, a nonprofit organization dedicated to economic development in our community was also on hand to cut the ribbon for the official opening of the business.
The Kiddie Closet was the brainchild of Rachelle Stein, who experienced the unfortunate experience of not being able to provide name-brand or sometimes nicer clothes for her son when he was beginning school. She wanted him to be carefree and comfortable and to enjoy going to school without embarrassment because of his attire. She knew that sometimes kids can be teased because of their appearance, and she didn’t want other children in Raton to have that experience. So, partnering with her mother, Ronda Lemmer, they purchased the original inventory to open the store, and will depend on mothers, grandmothers, and others to bring in gently-used children’s clothing to receive store credit for purchasing “new” clothing in return. They are open 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Monday through Saturday.
