Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 27, 1995 TAG: 9505060002
SECTION: PARENT'S GUIDE PAGE: PG-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARAH COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Grow Biz Industries, which started the Once Upon A Child franchise, also owns Play It Again Sports, as well as resale computer, musical instruments and music franchises. It has apparently tapped into a fairly lucrative concept.
Two franchises, with different owners, are located in Roanoke. One is in Towne Square near Phar-Mor and the other is in Promenade Park Shopping Center on Electric Road. The owners of the Towne Square store, Todd and Angie Ross, already are looking for a Lynchburg location for another franchise. They opened their first one in August of 1994, and will open the second one sometime in July.
Ross said he was in commercial banking prior to becoming a business owner. He made the transition, he said, because he had always wanted to own his own business, and he knew that Grow Biz had a good reputation as a franchiser since he had dealt with them when he was a banker. Buying a franchise, he said, is a good move because owners get some support.
The Electric Road franchise, with a silent investor, is managed by Cindy Kane, who said the store opened June 18 of last year. Kane said her store resales items that are top quality, and they do not consign. With the exception of a few top-dollar items, they buy outright and resale according to a complex, pre-programmed list that calculates according to quality, type and brand name, said Ross.
"The very affluent are recognizing value. Those same people sell to us so we get quality items, and they see value and buy it here,'' said Kane.
Ross has two small children - a 4-year old son and a 20-month-old daughter - and he said he has witnessed how practical the resale concept is. Prior to investing in a Once Upon A Child franchise, Ross said he wouldn't have hesitated to buy a used piece of equipment, particularly something expensive such as a good quality stroller. But he wasn't convinced about clothes until he realized what good quality some used clothes are.
Kane said for the most part, people couldn't care less if an item has been previously used when they see the quality and value.
Ross pointed out that in the April 1995 issue of Child magazine an article, "50 Ways to Save Money," mentions recycled clothing, sports gear and equipment as good bargains.
Once Upon A Child, he said, focuses on a combination of price and quality.
"We have a rating system that allows us to be consistent. It's a fairly elaborate computer system which analyzes the name brand, condition, style and inventory level,'' he said.
Both Kane and Ross said those who want to sell their items receive immediate money, and those who want to buy can purchase items that are only 30 to 50 percent of the original cost. In addition, both said they also carry some new items that are competitively priced because they have the buying advantage of Grow Biz behind them. Plus, they are sent product safety and recall flyers, and Ross said they attend safety seminars to evaluate their merchandise.
Kane said in buying used items, customers should make sure the equipment meets current safety standards and that it's clean and not broken. Once Upon A Child owners won't accept items that are stained, torn, broken or missing any pieces.
Both Kane and Ross said boys' clothing is harder to come by than girls. Boys tend to wear out their clothes quicker and, said Ross, parents tend to buy more pretty dresses than they do dress pants.
Kane said she carries everything from bunk beds to shoes to toys to books. She even has a wish book that her customers can fill out. Most often, that's used by grandparents looking for an extra port-a-crib.
by CNB