Once Upon a Time

It’s evident from stepping in her store that Linda Flaherty loves providing parents – both new and experienced – with everything they need to care for infants. The Once Upon A Time owner greets parents at the entrance to her sea of pale pink and sky blue by speaking softly to babies in their arms.

“Let me have a peek,” she says.

From infant and toddler clothes to diaper bags and furniture, Once Upon A Time sells a selection of items to create a nursery escape for baby.

“It’s a little bit of everything,” Flaherty said. The shop offers gifts for baby showers including blankets, stuffed toys, diaper bags and baby carriers.

Although Flaherty and her daughter, Sarah Bailey, are at home in their location in downtown Homewood, they haven’t always been here.

She opened Nursery Décor in 1994. At the store, Flaherty brought her love of sewing to the forefront and began designing and making custom nursery linens.

Once Upon A Time opened in 1996. As the store grew, it moved to larger locations in Crestline Village. In 2009 it expanded into Homewood with a store on 18th Street.

As item variety grew, Bailey came on board with her mother. She worked at the shop while she was in college and jokes that it wasn’t time to have a baby yet so she had to go her own way. “I was ready to be a grandmother, but she wasn’t ready to be a mother,” Flaherty said with a laugh.

Bailey joined the store again as manager and buyer seven years ago and came on as a partner in 2009.

 “It’s great to be able to share this experience with my mom,” Bailey said.

The store flooded in December 2011 but was reopened in March 2012, in time for spring showers.

Flaherty’s favorite part about her job?

“It may be the hardest, but buying,” she said.

The mother-daughter pair carefully select each item found in the shop. They strive for quality, variety and price points in their products.

The two treasure the relationship they have with each of their customers and realize the importance of friendships.

“Some people come in and say, ‘I don’t even have a baby, but I had to come in!’” Flaherty said.

Mothers on baby number four still find something they need at Once Upon A Time.

So if it’s the once upon a time for you or someone you love, stop by the shop for something to make this special time a little more magical.

The store is holdings its annual Furniture and Linens sale Jan. 21-26. Both floor samples and special orders will be discounted.