our history

Bachabee’s was a dream that started nearly 40 years ago by a mother & daughter. 

In 1984 , Mary Anne, along with her daughter Tina, opened a tiny store in Elmhurst, Illinois. The shop was located on Montrose Avenue in the Spring Road Business District. They called it “Once Upon a Time”.

Once Upon a Time was a gift shop that specialized in handmade items with over 65 artisans that kept the store stocked.

In June of 1997, after outgrowing the space it occupied, Once Upon a Time made a long-overdue move around the corner to Spring Road. Along with the move into a larger restored old store front came another major change, the renaming of Once Upon a Time to what is now Bachabee’s. The decision to change the name came from another store opening in the area with a very similar name.

​

Sadly, in December 2010 Mary Anne passed away. Leaving Tina questioning if she wanted to continue on with the store. The lease was ending and there were lots of decisions to be made. With a heavy heart she decided to close. Getting ready to close the store, she was offered space for rent across the street combined with Total Window Treatments. After being there for about a year, Tina felt it was time for a shop of her own again. She found the perfect spot on Vallette Street in Elmhurst where the store is today!