A Central Lake Landmark Since 1942...

 

Founded as a "five-and-dime" in 1942, Bachmann's Store is one-of-a-kind.  Generations of customers have relied on Bachmann's as the "go-to" place to find everything from Brach's chocolate to the perfect toy to strawberry hullers--and everything in between! We like to say, "If we don't have it, you don't need it!" New visitors are amazed by the unusual finds they discover as they walk our wooden floors for the first time. Lifelong customers are likewise pleased when they find exactly what they're looking for as they walk our wooden floors for the hundredth time!

 

Three Generations and Still Going Strong

Paul and Winnie Bachmann settled down in Central Lake so their daughter Donna would have a great place to grow up. Until then, the family had moved from one town to another with Paul's job of establishing Dalquist Drug Stores. Using the Dalquist model, he started his own store in our historic brick building. They lived above the store and welcomed son Mike several years later.

 

Paul and Winnie retired in the early 1970's when Mike Bachmann and his wife Christine took over. Mike and Chris successfully navigated the trials of changing times and kept Bachmann's a thriving independently-owned variety store when many others folded with the game-changing competition of the "big-box" stores.

 

When Mike and Chris wanted to step down in 2011 after thirty-six years, Paul and Winnie's grand-daughter Michelle became the third generation to continue the tradition of Bachmann's Store.  She loves being a part of this legacy and works very hard to honor Paul and Winnie and Mike and Chris by making sure that Bachmann's thrives to the next generation...and beyond!