CatTalpa Manor is located at 10 E Wilson St Suite #2, Batavia, IL 60510.
Abbey Estes is a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady offering artwork, rare and unusual plants and quirky vintage wares. She got her start at the Batavia Boardwalk Shops in the 2021 season and has since opened CatTalpa Manor, brick-and-mortar store in the heart of Batavia. Abbey went to school for art and as an artist has put a unique touch to her store that’s difficult to capture even here on video. It’s most definitely worth your time to come by for a visit and see what she has to offer.
One of my favorite things about her store is that she has a lot of unique pieces of art and home décor. There are pieces that she has taken the time to collect and offer to her customers. You can easily find something in her store that you won’t find anywhere else. When I went by for my first visit, I ended up coming home with two brass plant holders that were antiques and repurposed to house the most beautiful and unusual looking plants that have been a topic of conversation with visitors to my home. She also carries a lot of books for adults and craft kids for kids. There’s really something for everyone at her store.
Her passion centers around houseplants. Of which abound in every nook and cranny of her store. I spent a little over two hours walking around and still feel like at the end of it all I didn’t notice all the plant friends she had living there. She’s an expert on caring for them and took extensive time with me making sure that when I left, I knew exactly how to keep them thriving and growing in my own home. I even learned a couple of new things (for example, that some plants like to drink water from a bowl – water the up, not pour water down, who knew?!). She also has a rare plant collection for those plant enthusiasts that want a little something extra special to add to their at home jungle.
In case you are looking for a quick something special for a friend of family member don’t overlook her cooler which has fresh cut flowers in beautiful bright arrangements. In that same cooler you’ll find refreshments (which are welcome and delicious on a hot summer day like today).
Abbey also offers classes and workshops that are held in the back of her store. She leads several of them including Houseplants 101 (which I most certainly would benefit from attending!) as well as classes like brush lettering, watercolors, and hand embroidery. Those classes are taught by local artists like Joanna Goss (@jowayseeker) and Karaina Callahan (@sagestitchco). I took the hand embroidery class, and it was fun to spend a morning with perfect strangers laughing over our inability to keep our needle threaded but having fun while trying.
Abbey’s store in tucked away in downtown Batavia. So please do look at Google Maps before you head out to find her. The front entrance to her store is located between The House of 423 and right near The Comedy Vault.
Have you been to see Abbey’s store? What treasures did you find? Let me know in the comment box below!
FUN FACTS AND HOBBIES ABOUT ABBEY
“I love obscurity brewery, they have bomb BBQ! The also have a mead place across the street but I’ve never been. I also really love Gammon Coach House and Oak + Swine. Gammon is like a dive bar with great food and craft beer. Oak + Swine has great food and a mean old fashioned. I love going to the Batavia farmers market and garage/estate sales with my family. We also love to hike when we have the chance at the many trails and parks in the area.”
CONTACT INFORMATION
10 E Wilson St Suite #2, Batavia, IL 60510
(630) 937-4022
Thursday 12–6PM
Friday 12–6PM
Saturday 10AM–5PM
Sunday 12–4PM
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 12–6PM
