ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, December 10, 1995              TAG: 9512110027
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
COLUMN: New to the Valley 

ONCE UPON A CHILD

Owners: David and Carolyn Mashburn

Location: 360-A Arbor Drive, near Lowe's, in Christiansburg

Phone: 382-5045

Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.

Products and Services: Once Upon a Child, part of a nationwide surge of franchises that specialize in used items, has a wide array of gently used and new children's clothes, toys, furniture, books, footwear, bedding, room decor supplies, and other items.

The store will buy clothes that are clean, in good condition, and in current style. "We buy stuff from just about everybody who comes through the door," Dave Mashburn said.

Carolyn Mashburn said the New River Valley is a good place for such a business because of the area's interest in recycling. But David Mashburn said anywhere is a good place for a used-clothing store for children because kids grow so fast.

As a result, he said, some of the items they receive still have the tags on.

Warm-weather clothes will be in big demand soon, and in the summer, the store will look for cold-weather clothes.

LENGTH: Short :   34 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  (headshots) 1. David Mashburn. 2. Carolyn Mashburn.