View details of this raise on Seedstage

Springdale, AR

Strengthening a multi-channel used-book and literacy operation to expand access to affordable and free books for children.

• Inventory acquisition support: The company will use proceeds to purchase larger quantities of quality used books, maintaining steady inventory across its sales channels.
• Marketing and outreach: Targeted marketing and customer outreach will increase awareness of store locations, events, and literacy initiatives in Northwest Arkansas and beyond.
• Operational efficiency improvements: Funds may support inventory processing and technology enhancements to optimize internal workflows and improve long-term sustainability.
• Multi-channel book distribution: The company reaches readers through retail stores, an online catalog, Bookmobile routes, and School Book Fair programs.
• Free books for children: The Great Arkansas Book Giveaway expands access to reading materials by placing free books into the hands of children across the region.

Once Upon a Time Books is raising funds to strengthen inventory acquisition, expand marketing efforts, and improve operational efficiency. The company plans to use additional working capital to purchase larger quantities of quality used books through established sourcing relationships, supporting steady inventory for retail stores, online marketplaces, Bookmobile routes, and School Book Fair programs. Proceeds will also fund targeted customer outreach to increase awareness of stores, events, and literacy initiatives in Northwest Arkansas and beyond. In addition, some funds may be applied to operational flexibility, including inventory processing and technology enhancements, with the goal of optimizing current obligations and supporting long-term sustainability.

Once Upon a Time Books operates as a family-owned and veteran-owned used bookseller with retail locations in Tontitown, Bentonville, and Fayetteville, an online catalog, and a Bookmobile. It runs school partnerships through Book Fairs and children’s programs, and it manages the Great Arkansas Book Giveaway to put free books into the hands of children across the region. By improving inventory availability, customer engagement, and internal workflows, the company intends to broaden revenue opportunities across its ecommerce, brick-and-mortar, and outreach channels while maintaining an emphasis on affordable access to reading. The investments support the ability to keep books moving from acquisition through processing to sale across multiple platforms, helping sustain the literacy mission over time.

Company Info

Once Upon a Time Books sells used books through stores, online channels, and a bookmobile while supporting school book fairs and regional literacy programs.

Once Upon a Time Books is a used-book business that sells affordable reading materials through retail stores, an online marketplace, and a traveling bookmobile. It processes and inventories large quantities of secondhand titles and offers sales through both direct customer shopping and business-to-business channels.

In addition to resale, the company supports community literacy through school book fairs and regional initiatives such as the Great Arkansas Book Giveaway. These programs place books into children hands and encourage reading at home, while the bookstores and events provide accessible options for families and readers of all ages across Northwest Arkansas and beyond.