Updated Sept. 30, 10:35 a.m.–
By Lily Tu– The Once Upon a Child store in Citrus Heights is up for sale, according to an announcement by the owner in a July Facebook video, followed by a similar post sent out early September.
According to Franchise Resales, the store has been in operation under its current owner since 2019 and is listed for $275,000. The store first opened in 2000. Other franchise locations for sale across the country range in price from as low as $50,000 to nearly $1 million, depending on location. One store in Ontario, Canada is listed for $2.1 million.
The local franchise owner said in her Facebook video that she is selling the business so her parents can retire.
“My parents actually do a ton of the back work,” she said. “We’ve been doing it for five years, and I want my parents to enjoy their retirement.”
Once Upon a Child is a franchise that buys and sells lightly used items for children. It is the largest national franchise that specializes in reselling children’s used gear, with over 400 store locations across the U.S. and Canada. Unlike consignment shops, Once Upon a Child offers cash on the spot for accepted items, buying all season with no appointment necessary.
Environmental sustainability drives the franchise’s mission, reducing waste by reselling children’s gear in good condition. The company’s website says recycling saves resources and cuts down on toxic emissions caused by the production of new clothes and toys.
The Once Upon a Child store in Citrus Heights is located at 7937 Greenback Ln., in the Citrus Town Center, offering an established location and customer base for people interested in owning the business. The owner said on Facebook that the location is “ready to change hands and ignite the entrepreneurial fire within you.”
According to the company’s franchise website, potential franchisees begin the ownership process by filling out a qualification form. Parent company Winmark oversees the franchising process, reviewing applicants’ financial ability and answering any initial questions about the company. Required finances include $400,000 in net worth and $75,000 to $105,000 in liquid assets.
After financial eligibility is confirmed, candidates meet with existing Once Upon a Child store owners to familiarize themselves with the industry. These visits occur in person or over the phone, allowing candidates to learn about the expectations, branding, and routines of operating a store.
Following these visits, Winmark invites candidates to an informational Discovery Day, where they learn about the store training and support provided by Winmark. Once both sides commit to the franchise partnership, all franchisees enroll in a Winmark training course before opening their stores.
Franchisees then continue to receive operational and marketing support from Winmark during the entire franchise relationship.
Buyers interested in the Citrus Heights location are asked to the Winmark’s Franchise Development team at 1-866-595-0053.
*Correction: An initial version of this story cited data from FranchiseResales indicating the store opened in 2019. The owner has since clarified that the store opened in 2000, and she acquired the store in 2019.
