Some weekends call for a plan that costs little and lasts all afternoon. In Springdale, Arkansas, a used bookstore offers aisles of shelves, a coffee counter, and a reading corner with a couch. Readers hunt through rows of vintage titles, children’s books, and a back room of antiques. The shelves are labeled, the crowd is relaxed, and an hour can turn into three before anyone checks the clock.
Here is a look at what waits inside, how the place works, and what to know before heading out the door with an empty tote bag.
A Springdale Stop for Book Hunters
Book lovers in northwest Arkansas can find Once Upon A Time Books at 1094 E Henri De Tonti Blvd, Springdale, AR 72762, United States.
The shop is a used bookstore with a cafe attached, and it has built a loyal following in the region. Its 4.7-star average across more than 700 ratings tells a story of steady approval.
The building sits on a main road, and past customers have pointed out the roomy parking area. That makes a quick stop easy, though the shelves inside tend to stretch a short visit into a long one.
The store is also a family-owned business with another location in Fayetteville. The Springdale spot is a newer home, and regulars refer to it as the new location.
Fans describe it as a maze of books, which sets expectations well. Come with time to spare and a bag that has room to grow.
A Family Business With a Moving Story
Moving a bookstore is a puzzle with thousands of pieces, and this one went through it recently.
Shoppers have noted that the store relocated, and the owner response from the general manager mentions settling into the new location. A few customers caught a 40 percent off sale around the time of the move.
One buyer walked out with a single book for $2.60 thanks to that discount. Another said it brought prices close to what an average bookstore charges.
The business describes itself as small and family-owned. It also runs a separate online warehouse operation for Amazon orders, which follows its own policies apart from the retail shops.
Because the move was recent, some visitors observed that shelf labels might still be catching up. That is a fair expectation for any shop unpacking a huge collection.
Rows That Reward Wandering
Browsing here works like a treasure map with no X on it.
The aisles hold a wide variety of new and vintage books, and shoppers often describe the layout as a maze. Genres cover adventure, fantasy, horror, and romance, so each turn leads somewhere different.
Many regulars mention that the departments are well organized, which helps when a title is on a wish list. Others like to wander without a plan and see what turns up.
One shopper found stacks everywhere and called the chaos part of the charm. Another discovered random old magazines from the 1970s mixed in among the books.
Staff members tend to let people browse without hovering. That gives the afternoon a slow, unhurried pace.
The Back Room of Antique Pages
Some books here are older than the state highway system, and a few are older than anyone’s great-grandparents.
A small separate room holds antique titles, and one visitor spotted a book dating to the 1830s. Another shopper reported that some material in the store is over 300 years old.
Rare books and collectible books come up regularly in what customers talk about. That gives collectors a reason to stop in beyond the usual paperback browse.
Prices on vintage items can run higher, and some customers felt older volumes were priced firmly. Those who collect seriously will want to compare before buying.
Shelves of older books with colored covers are also arranged by color. Interior designers and decorators have praised that display.
Where Young Readers Get Their Turn
A big children’s section means the youngest readers in the family are not left waiting by the door.
Parents have praised the selection for kids, and the store carries books for all ages. One mom came away with quite a few titles for her children in a single trip.
Homeschooling books show up often in conversation about the shop. Families teaching at home find a steady supply of reading material without hunting across several stores.
The kids section is listed among the store’s well-known strengths, along with its range for older readers. That makes a trip workable for households with different tastes.
This is an outing suited to families who enjoy reading together, and a quiet afternoon here fits nicely before or after other weekend plans.
Educator Discount and Homeschool Perks
Teachers carry heavy book budgets, and this store has a card designed to lighten them.
Educators can use a discount, and customers mention it often. One homeschooling parent called it awesome because the family buys so many books.
Another longtime shopper noted that the card makes prices fair. At one point the store had run out of new cards, so asking about availability is a good idea.
Bringing a faculty ID can help when requesting the discount. Homeschooling families have the same option under the educator label.
With the topic of educator pricing and homeschooling books both popping up repeatedly, the shop clearly serves classrooms and kitchen tables alike.
Coffee Counter With a Literary Twist
A cafe inside a bookstore is a clever way to keep readers from leaving.
Once Upon A Time Books and Cafe offers a coffee station, and several customers mention it. Drink names are book titles twisted to fit, which gives the menu a playful edge.
A cozy couch and a rocking chair give browsers a place to sit and sample their finds. Early shoppers noted the clean, spacious restrooms as a welcome extra.
The cafe adds a reason to linger beyond the shelves. A quick browse can easily turn into a relaxed afternoon with a stack of picks.
Check with the shop for what the cafe currently offers, since menus and hours can change.
Selling Books Back to the Shop
A used bookstore only works if books keep arriving, so this one buys them too.
Shoppers confirm that the store purchases books. One visitor from Fort Smith found the price paid for their books fair and thought the drive was worth it.
Experiences vary on the details. One person who brought in a small number of books was told the amount was not enough to process and was invited to return with more.
That is worth keeping in mind for anyone planning a trade-in. A larger box may get a smoother response than a handful of titles.
Calling the shop ahead of time is a sensible step. Staff can explain what they are currently accepting.
What the Crowd Says About the Staff
Friendly staff is the most frequent topic among customers, with 88 mentions on record.
Helpful staff earns another 36. Regulars describe welcoming employees who communicate well and treat shoppers kindly.
Not every visit has gone smoothly. A few customers felt a clerk was curt at the counter, and the general manager has responded publicly, offering to review each situation and coach the team.
The owner response stresses that the business aims for a friendly and enjoyable experience. It also invites customers to reach out directly with details.
Overall, the weight of opinion leans warm. Most shoppers walk away praising how they were treated.
Prices, Sales, and Smart Shopping
Price talk splits opinion, as it often does at a bookstore full of older titles.
Many shoppers call prices good or fair. Others found newer books, from the last ten years, a bit high, and said vintage pieces carry a premium.
Sales change the picture. A 40 percent off event brought one buyer’s costs down to about what a regular bookstore charges.
Shoppers who want to spend less can ask about discount cards. Looking for a specific title may also suit the store best, since the stock is deep.
A smart plan is to browse first, set a budget, and check for current promotions before heading to the register.
Hours, Parking, and a Soft Verdict
The shop opens at 9 AM on Monday through Saturday and closes at 6 PM. Sunday hours run from noon to 5 PM.
The address is 1094 E Henri De Tonti Blvd in Springdale, and the lot offers plenty of parking. The website is onceuponatimebooks.com for anyone who wants to check details before going.
A fair verdict is simple. The store suits patient browsers, families with young readers, teachers, and collectors who like to dig.
Those who want a fast, polished retail trip may find the stacks a bit chaotic. One visitor mentioned a slightly musty smell, so readers sensitive to older paper might keep that in mind.
For everyone else, a long afternoon of shelves and a coffee counter is a pleasant way to spend a weekend. The stories on those forgotten paperbacks are still waiting to be picked up.
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