Open for Business: Once Upon a Child

Once Upon a Child
Franchise resale store Once Upon a Child moved to larger space June 20 at 1421 S. Glenstone Ave. in the Country Club Center. The shop, which sells gently used children’s clothing and accessories, previously operated at 1258 E. Battlefield Road. Husband-and-wife franchisees David and Babette Schlum bought the 3-year-old business for undisclosed terms in October 2018 from Steve and Cindy Johnson. Once Upon a Child fills roughly 8,200 square feet where Family Dollar most recently operated, Babette Schlum said. She declined to disclose relocation costs or lease terms with landlord Phil Swanson. The store’s staff of 22 sells items for 25%-50% of the original retail price and buys products from the public for 30%-40% of the resale value, she said. The Schlums pay 5% royalties to Minneapolis-based Winmark Corp., which also owns the Play It Again Sports and Plato’s Closet franchises.
Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-
6 p.m. Sunday
Phone: 417-886-1853
Web: OnceUponAChildSpringfield
Mo.com

Beautiful Fight Woodworking LLC
A year after opening a warehouse near downtown Springfield, Beautiful Fight Woodworking LLC stretched out July 18 into retail space on Commercial Street. Owner Heather Dyer and wife Brittany Dyer lead the furniture and home decor shop at 301 W. Commercial St. They launched the business in 2015 out of their home before transitioning to commercial space in July 2019 at 1315 W. College St. The couple trades off time working in the warehouse and 1,500-square-foot retail shop. The business is on pace this year for an all-time revenue high of nearly $300,000, Heather Dyer said. The Dyers handled their own shop renovations, which cost roughly $2,500. The Dyers are on a one-year lease for undisclosed terms with C.C. Guice, who owns the Commercial Street building. Beautiful Fight specializes in custom farmhouse-style furniture and home decor items, such as coffee tables, benches and shelving.
Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, 
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and
 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday
Phone: 417-848-9327
Web: BeautifulFightWoodworking.com

Rib Crib
The fourth Springfield-area restaurant for Tulsa, Oklahoma-based barbecue chain Rib Crib opened July 27 at 2922 S. Glenstone Ave. in Brentwood Center South. Rib Crib Facilities Director Bob Luke declined to disclose startup costs or the 15-year lease rate with Jared Commercial Real Estate LLC. The eatery is in 4,000 square feet formerly occupied by Piano Craft Inc. General Manager Haley Zabsky leads 30 employees, Luke said. The menu features ribs, sandwiches, burgers, salads, catfish, chicken fried steak and desserts, with entrees ranging $9-$15. Rib Crib, founded in 1992, operates 46 restaurants in eight states, he said. Its other local eateries are at 1720 S. Campbell Ave. and 1640 N. Glenstone Ave. in Springfield, and at 750 N. 18th St. in Ozark.
Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
Phone: 417-755-7229
Web: RibCrib.com