This year several resale stores announced plans to expand and it seems this is part of a growing trend.

On Monday, an expansion is underway at Once Upon a Child, a secondhand store for children's clothing.

The same story is happening next door where the same owners opened Clothes Mentor along Grape Road where Goodwill is also expanding.

Experts say the recent recession forced consumers to change the way they shop, which is proving big business in the resale industry.

Stephanie McCoy, owner of Once Upon a Child and Clothes Mentor, says, “I think when the economy kind of went down it affected everyone. Everyone wanted a deal, everyone wanted a bargain, and they started shopping at resale stores and second hand stores and saw what great things you can find. Now it's become a way of life for them.”

The expansion at Once Upon a Child should be finished by February and at Goodwill in March.