A national off-price chain with multiple Columbus-area locations, Burlington sells new baby gear, nursery furniture, clothing, and home goods at discount retail prices rather than boutique or specialty-store rates.
Burlington's baby and infant section typically stocks car seats, strollers, bouncers, swings, baby monitors, nursing pillows, and crib bedding sets alongside racks of infant and toddler clothing. The furniture side leans toward standalone pieces like dressers and changing tables rather than complete nursery collections. Stock rotates based on what Burlington buys from manufacturers as overstock or closeout inventory, so the selection on any given visit will vary.
Pricing is the main draw. A car seat that retails for $150–$200 at Target or Buy Buy Baby might sit on a Burlington shelf for $80–$110. Crib bedding sets that run $60–$80 at standard retail often appear closer to $30–$45. These are not secondhand prices or damaged goods — the merchandise is new, just sourced through off-price buying channels.
Columbus has several Burlington stores worth knowing about. The Morse Road location on the northeast side and the store near Tuttle Crossing on the west side are the two most frequently cited by Columbus parents. The Morse Road store tends to serve shoppers coming from Westerville, New Albany, and the northeast suburbs, while the Tuttle-area location draws from Dublin, Hilliard, and Upper Arlington. A third location operates in the Groveport/southeast corridor. Hours are generally 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, though holiday hours shift — checking the Burlington store locator before a trip is practical since hours occasionally vary by location.
The honest comparison in Columbus comes down to what kind of shopping experience and selection depth you need.
Buy Buy Baby (Polaris area) is the closest direct comparison for new gear. It carries a broader and more consistent selection of major brands like Graco, UPPAbaby, Chicco, and Pottery Barn Kids, and staff can walk you through stroller comparisons or car seat installation questions. Prices are full retail. If you need to see three stroller models side by side and ask detailed questions, Buy Buy Baby is better suited to that. If you already know what you want or are flexible on brand, Burlington's pricing gap is meaningful.
Once Upon A Child (multiple Columbus locations including Reynoldsburg, Grove City, and Dublin) operates as resale, meaning gently used baby gear at even lower prices than Burlington. A used swing at Once Upon A Child might cost $15–$25 where Burlington sells a new one for $35–$55. Once Upon A Child also buys items back, which Burlington does not. For parents building out a full nursery on a tight budget, combining a Once Upon A Child run for certain items with a Burlington trip for new gear where condition matters more can stretch dollars further.
Target and Walmart in Columbus carry consistent baby basics, but their pricing on gear sits at or close to full retail. Burlington undercuts both on the items it carries, though it won't have the same breadth of everyday consumables like diapers and formula.
Burlington works best for parents who are flexible about brand and don't need to comparison-shop across multiple models in person. If you're outfitting a nursery with a set budget and can take what's available rather than a specific item, the savings are real. New grandparents stocking up on clothing, baby shower shoppers looking for gifts in a lower price range, and parents of second or third children who already own the major gear and need supplemental items are all well-matched to what Burlington offers.
It's less suited to first-time parents who need hands-on guidance choosing a convertible car seat or want to physically test a stroller on the floor before committing. The staff at Burlington are general retail employees, not baby gear specialists, and the store layout isn't designed for that kind of considered purchase.
Walk in expecting a large-format discount store with baby gear mixed in among clothing, home goods, and seasonal merchandise rather than a dedicated baby department. Items aren't always grouped tightly together — strollers might be near the entrance while bedding is across the store. Checking the Burlington app or website for in-stock status at your specific Columbus location before driving over can save a wasted trip, since popular items sell quickly and restocking is unpredictable.
All Columbus Burlington locations are in strip mall or power center settings with free surface parking. None require appointments. Returns require a receipt and tags attached; Burlington's return window is generally 30 days for most merchandise, though confirming the current policy at checkout is worth doing for larger purchases like gear.
