Once Upon A Child Opens Sustainable Children's Resale Store in Paducah
The opening of Once Upon A Child in Paducah provides local families with affordable, sustainable shopping options while supporting small business formation and reducing landfill waste.
Once Upon A Child has opened a new location in Paducah at 3050 New Holt Rd, bringing sustainable children's resale shopping to the community. The store, which opened on June 5, offers local parents a resource for buying and selling gently used children's clothing, shoes, toys, accessories, and equipment at affordable prices while promoting environmental sustainability.
The Paducah location is owned by husband-and-wife team David and Amberly Craig, who previously opened a Plato's Closet store in 2015. David Craig explained their motivation: "With three kids of our own, we understand how few shopping options there are for baby and children's clothing in Paducah. We're excited to offer families an affordable, sustainable option while putting money back into the hands of local parents." The couple was inspired by family members who own multiple Once Upon A Child locations in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Once Upon A Child's business model addresses both economic and environmental concerns. Unlike traditional consignment stores, the company pays consumers on the spot for items it purchases without requiring appointments. This approach allows families to monetize their gently used children's items while ensuring these products are reused rather than ending up in landfills. The store's focus on sustainability aligns with growing consumer demand for environmentally conscious shopping options, particularly in the children's products market where items are quickly outgrown.
The company maintains strict safety standards, with staff members trained to stay current on product recalls and immediately remove any recalled items from shelves. All purchased items undergo safety checks to ensure they meet current mandatory and voluntary safety standards, providing parents with confidence in their secondhand purchases. Once Upon A Child is part of Winmark – the Resale Company, a national franchisor that operates multiple resale concepts including Plato's Closet, Play It Again Sports, Style Encore, and Music Go Round.
With over 435 franchised stores across the United States and Canada, Once Upon A Child represents a significant movement toward sustainable retail practices in the children's products sector. The Paducah opening contributes to Winmark's growing network of 1,371 franchises in operation as of June 2025, with additional territories available for expansion. The store's presence provides Paducah families with practical solutions for managing the high costs of children's products while supporting local small business ownership and environmental sustainability through the circular economy model.