Once Upon a Time Books — Local services in Bentonville

It's a treat to find a small bookstore tucked into a block in Bentonville's old downtown. Once Upon a Time is a nice respite from the more gimmicky shops you find elsewhere around the courthouse square, an oasis for book lovers to browse or even sit a bit.

The collection of books offered for sale is eclectic and depends, I think, on the tastes of the owner. So, while you may not find scads of the latest books on major reading lists, you'll find interesting collections of vintage cookbooks, local cookbooks, Southern cookbooks, and local history books.

We especially appreciate the kindness of the bookstore owner yesterday in spending lots of time talking to us, offering a restaurant recommendation, pointing out that the bookmarks she tucked into our purchase have a bar we can scan to go online and find the entire inventory of the bookstore, and if we spot something we like to order it and have it shipped to us.

Peace, quiet, brain food, history: what more can you ask for in a shop in a courthouse square in a small Arkansas town? Once Upon a Time offers all...

I have been in this bookstore multiple times with my children and while I love the book selection, their lack of acknowledgment that you exist in their store is something to be admired. This time around a man was there and he was the first person to ever say hello and speak to me! Thank you that man! The women all seem to be similar vibe wise, (not interested in customers) and on being ready to pay, I waited and waited because 2 of them were having a conversation. One looked at me and carried on speaking. And finally on coming to help me check out, I was barely looked at, she didn’t even speak to me apart from telling me the total. I will likely not bother coming again, i prefer to spend my money where people are kind and welcoming to their customers. Felt like me being there was beneath them. Manners and...

I will never go back into this place. Zero customer service. They didn’t say hello or ask if there was anything i wanted to find… I find a good paperback book to gift. However when i exclaimed at the price tag the employee finally noticed me. After making a comment about why the book was priced high being based in collectibles, he then bragged about how much money he himself has spent on collectors books over the years. I dont care about your collection. I wanted a paperback book because they promote regifting after they have been gifted. If i want a collectors book, i will source it myself without this business...