Rolling in the Aisles

From its roots as a roller rink to the thriving gift and decor store it is today, Leon & Lulu in Clawson, Michigan, makes fun a priority.

If there’s one thing that Mary Liz Curtin strives for as a retail proprietor, it’s fun. Indeed, the secret to her success as owner of Leon & Lulu in Clawson, ... read more

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Blooming Where Planted

Madison, Wisconsin’s Orange Tree Imports has grown in more ways than one, bringing a vibrant shop to this town.

At Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wisconsin, shopowner Carol Schroeder holds an annual Matryoshka Contest, in which customers enter to win prizes by decorating a set of authentic Russian nesting ... read more

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Triple Play

Springfield, Missouri’s trio of gift shops—The Thicket, The Nest and Branches—are a small idea that has grown into much more.

The Thicket, The Nest and Branches offer a powerhouse home decor trifecta and a magnetic retail destination for Springfield, Missouri, shoppers—but that was never founder Ron Johnson’s vision when he ... read more

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It’s All About the Attitude

At The Green Goddess, Chicagoans can find treasures from around the world in this successful boutique.

Walk into The Green Goddess Boutique in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood and you’ll feel transported to another part of the world. Intricately embroidered sequined hobo bags from India hang in ... read more

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Best on the Beach

“Location, location, location” may be the success formula for some, but for Tuvalu in Laguna Beach, California, it’s “commitment, focus, location.”

While Tuvalu enjoys an unbeatable location in downtown Laguna Beach, California, owner Laurie Alter’s passionate commitment to customers and intense focus on business strategy are essential to her store’s well ... read more