introducing lemon laine

New beauty shop brings zest for the natural life to Heights Mercantile fresh

The Nashville-based retailer brings a fresh approach to beauty and wellness.

Photo courtesy of Lemon Laine

Heights Mercantile is known for its eclectic mix of shops and dining spots, bringing together the kind of edgy, artistic creativity that gave the Heights its beloved vibe, while also nodding to the area’s newer, more chic and sophisticated demeanor. When Nashville-based Lemon Laine rolls into the space this fall, it ought to blend right in.

For the uninitiated, Lemon Laine touts products that make its guests look good and are good for them. Laura Lemon, the company’s founder and CEO, has curated a collection of lotions, beauty products, and essential oils. In addition, Lemon Laine offers an “oil bar,” where baristas work with guests to craft a custom facial oil made with organic oils to address the guest’s specific goals.

“Houston is the largest small town I know,” says Lemon about the choice to bring her concept here. “It’s one of the biggest and most culturally diverse cities in the U.S., but still has a friendly feel, with tree-lined streets and neighborhoods buzzing with people that say hello to strangers. That balance in a community really speaks to me.”

Community building and product education have been paramount to the growth of Lemon Laine’s first location, which opened in Nashville in the summer of 2017. The Houston store will have the same focus, offering a wide range of natural beauty and wellness products from local and national purveyors in an environment that encourages curiosity and learning.

As she does at her Nashville shop, Lemon will host educational and community-building events including panels led by industry experts covering topics in areas of health, beauty, and wellness here in Houston.

The 1,000-square-foot space will have products organized by use and function instead of by brand, helping guests easily identify the correct products for their specific needs and discover new products and brands they wouldn’t have otherwise tried.

Houstonians ought to love that Lemon chose the Bayou City for her retail expansion, and the city’s fashionistas will no doubt get behind the entrepreneur’s decade of experience in the beauty business, including working on product development for Juice Beauty and advising on Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop.

UNIFORM UTOPIA

Luxury scrubs brand FIGS opens first Texas location in Rice Village

Photo courtesy of FIGS

FIGS will open its new Rice Village Community Hub on December 6.

Healthcare apparel company FIGS is opening its first brick-and-mortar store in Texas with a new Community Hub in Rice Village. The retail space is designed to serve both as a store and a gathering spot for the city's healthcare community.

The Rice Village location opens this Saturday, December 6, with a public grand opening event on December 13 from 6 to 8 pm featuring giveaways, music, food, and drinks from local vendors. Joining outposts in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York City, the Houston location is the fourth Community Hub for the company and the only location in the South.

The store will carry the full range of FIGS products, including scrubwear, loungewear, and accessories. It will also host events and programming focused on healthcare topics, offering visitors opportunities to meet and share experiences.

At the new FIGS boutique, shoppers will find the Color Clinic, offering scrubwear in core colors with rotating seasonal options. The store also has a Customization Station, which provides embroidery for names, titles, practice or hospital logos, and local icon options available only at Community Hubs. Personalization is also available for scrub caps, outerwear, and accessories.

FiGS The new FIGS store will offer a Color Clinic and Customization Station to let shoppers personalize their FIGS uniforms. Photo courtesy of FIGS/Instagram

The brand, founded in 2013 by Heather Hasson and Trina Spear, is known for fashion-forward medical uniforms made from a proprietary fabric with four-way stretch, antimicrobial technology, moisture-wicking, and wrinkle resistance. Hasson and Spear began selling directly to healthcare workers in Los Angeles-area hospital parking lots before growing their presence as an online retailer.

CEO and co-founder Trina Spear believes Rice Village was the perfect choice due to its proximity to the Texas Medical Center. She said the company wanted a space that supports Houston healthcare professionals and gives them a place to shop and connect.

"Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, and we are honored to bring a FIGS Community Hub to this city. This space is designed to serve and celebrate Houston healthcare professionals," said Spear. "Our Community Hubs create opportunities for customers to not only shop in a way that never previously existed, but to connect with each other and with FIGS on a deeper level."

FIGS Community Hub, 5515 Kelvin Dr., Suite 130, 77005

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