A new shopping center coming to Fayetteville in the eye of Skibo Road is a realized dream for Karese Whaley, a long-time Fayetteville resident, to bring her three businesses to one location and finally own her own commercial space. The Whaley Center will open in late summer at 4544 Yadkin Road in Fayetteville. 

For Whaley, this is a long-time vision that is finally being put into brick and mortar. 

“I started looking in 2017, realizing that I could build my own shopping center for the three businesses where I was paying over $20,000 a month in rent for the three collectively,” Whaley said. “I was on loop.net daily trying to find land and, at the same time, I was looking at my lease renewals to make sure I would not need to buy out any of the leases. This was the former site of Dixie Pawn, which had operated in Fayetteville for 50 years. I made the offer on the same day that it went on the market. It is the busiest intersection in the area. Nichols Buildings built the land up and positioned the shopping center so you could see it from Skibo Road. It all came together.”

“Even my storage [Fayetteville Storage] that I’ve used for years backs up to my new building easement,” Whaley said. “It is impossible to run these businesses without storage and it physically shook me when I realized that it would be so close.”

All three businesses, Once Upon a Child, Plato’s Closet and Clothes Mentor, have a similar business models although focus on different sizes. 

• Once Upon a Child buys and sells gently used children’s clothing, toys, shoes, baby gear and furniture helping area parents save up to 70 percent off retail while upcycling their current wares for their growing children. 
• Plato’s Closet buys and sells junior sized and young adult clothing along with accessories, footwear, outerwear and athletic wear for boys and girls. 
• Clothes Mentor buys and sells women’s clothing sizes 0-26, handbags, accessories and designer items. It often stocks a wide range of popular brands such as Lilly Pulitzer, Michael Kors, Tory Burch and more. 

The first to open in Fayetteville was Once Upon a Child in 2008 after Whaley visited the franchise in Wilmington. 

 “I was looking to bring European children’s clothes, but when I visited the store in Wilmington, I knew this was a good fit. It was a no-brainer to bring this to Fayetteville,” said Whaley.

Located originally at the Crosspointe Center, Once Upon a Child was immediately a success. In a year of operating, she realized she was turning away merchandise that was meant for junior sizes so she began her plan to open Plato’s Closet. 

“It took me a while to find a space, but I opened Plato’s Closet in 2011 in the same shopping center.”

Once Upon a Child also outgrew its space so she moved to the larger location at Westwood. As she was operating Once Upon a Child and Plato’s Closet, she began to run into the same problem with turning away women’s clothing, accessories and bags so she opened Clothes Mentor in 2013 in Westwood Shopping Center. 

The Whaley Center will not only have a centralized location for all three businesses, but will have completely new looks for the franchises. 

“We will have 12,000 square feet. Plato’s Closet will gain 1000 additional square feet. Clothes Mentor will be in the middle and we’ve upgraded the shopper’s experience with chandeliers, bright lighting and other enhancements. Everything is new and energy efficient,” said Whaley.

“My builders are amazing. There are so many things, so many details that the Nichols family with Nichols Buildings in Fayetteville have taken care of that have made this happen. I also would like to thank Allman Electric Corporation, Trinity Plumbing, McDonald Materials, Certified Heating & Air, Southern Carpets and Interiors, Lalo Martinez Concrete, Timothy Collins Masonry, Erickson Acoustics and Mid-South Lighting.  The bank inspector said it was the best building he had seen in over 20 years built in Fayetteville.”  

All of Whaley’s business success comes back to family, both past and present. 

“I attribute success to my dad. He passed away in 2013 and the building will have a plaque for him. He demonstrated work ethic and faith. Because of him, I operate not in fear, but in faith. He taught unconditional love and with that you can do anything.”

Her knack for entrepreneurship also extends to her daughter, Mikalea, who graduated from Campbell University this spring. 

“At a young age, my daughter could work in the family business, which has not only helped her earn for college, but in the 8th grade, she tested on a junior level for economics. When I asked her about it, she shrugged and said they were store questions,” said Whaley while laughing.  

Her daughter has grown up in the business, but Whaley also hopes that one day she can reap more benefits from it. 

“This is a good investment. The building is already worth more than 25% more than I put in and that is just the building. Owning versus renting makes sense on so many levels. This is just bigger scale with the benefits of residential real estate. This is retirement for me and her future too.” 

Outside of her business acumen, being charitable and a good role model for her daughter is also important for Whaley. She is involved with the Cumberland County Foster System along with other facets of the Cumberland County Health Department and with Junior League of Fayetteville including the Holly Day Fair. 

“I’m a sustainer with the Junior League of Fayetteville. I’ve focused on children’s organizations, and I think it is important as a business owner to also give back to the community.” 

Not only will the new building bring all three businesses together for one shopping experience, it also gives Whaley the peace of mind that she has been the mother and mentor that she has always strived to be. 

“I’ve always wanted to own my own business. I’ve always wanted to be the mom that I wanted to be. I never missed a thing with my daughter. Being my own boss was important to me,” said Whaley.

After a year of construction, the grand opening of the Whaley Center will be in late summer and Fayetteville will be ready to shop.