introducing lemon laine
New beauty shop brings zest for the natural life to Heights Mercantile fresh
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.
