{"id":9843,"date":"2023-07-11T23:24:18","date_gmt":"2023-07-11T23:24:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/the-eclectic-world-of-leon-lulu\/"},"modified":"2023-07-11T23:24:18","modified_gmt":"2023-07-11T23:24:18","slug":"the-eclectic-world-of-leon-lulu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/the-eclectic-world-of-leon-lulu\/","title":{"rendered":"The Eclectic World of Leon & Lulu"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Retail<\/a><\/p>
\n<\/p>\n

 \"\"<\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

The word \u201ceclectic\u201d has been
\nused to describe all sorts of things but perhaps its best use is to describe
\nLeon & Lulu, Mary Liz Curtin\u2019s wonderfully kinetic store located in
\nClawson, Michigan.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Leon & Lulu, and the
\nadjacent Three Cats at Leon & Lulu, is owned by the husband-and-wife team, Mary Liz
\nCurtin and Stephen Scannell. The store is named for their family pets, Leon the
\ncat and Lulu, his rottweiler pal. While Leon and Lulu are no longer with us,
\nvisitors to the store just might meet Spot and Bertie, the two pups who “work”
\nat the store.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Full disclosure: We met Mary
\nLiz on the speaker circuit many years ago and our friendship grew from there. Make
\nno mistake; this is not a puff piece about someone we know because it\u2019s impossible
\nto do a puff piece about Leon & Lulu. It is simply an amazing store with an
\namazing story.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Mary
\nLiz at her store with Spot (left) and Bertie.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

On April Fools\u2019 Day of 2006, Mary
\nLiz and Stephen opened Leon & Lulu in the former Ambassador Skating Rink in
\nClawson, Michigan, \u201cagainst the advice of many business professionals and Mary
\nLiz\u2019s mother. They remortgaged their home and sunk everything they had into the
\nbuilding, the renovation, and not enough inventory to fill it.\u201d We are happy to
\nreport that the mortgage has been paid off, their kid\u2019s made it through
\ncollege, and Mary Liz and Stephen are still happily married.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

The Ambassador
\nSkating Rink and Clawson Theater opened in 1941 and operated through the late
\n1950\u2019s.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Leon & Lulu today.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Today, the 15,000-square-foot
\nspace is home to an eclectic (there\u2019s that word again) assortment of gifts,
\nclothing, accessories, toys, novelties, home decor, furnishings, and probably a
\nfew categories we missed. The store\u2019s decor features the original skating rink
\nfloors, a disco ball that still hangs in the center of the space, a hockey
\nscoreboard, and hundreds of pair\u2019s skates that feature prominently in store
\ndisplays. And it\u2019s not unusual to see some of Leon & Lulu team members cruising
\nthe sales floor on roller skates.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Shoppers tend to spend hours at
\nthe store and Mary Liz had no place to send customers to lunch that were up to
\nher standards, so in September 2019 she opened the 7,800-square foot Three Cats
\nRestaurant. Located in the adjacent former Clawson movie theater, the building
\nwas a derelict mess. Everything had to be renovated and restored. The marquee
\nwas long gone so it was recreated as an exact replica of the original.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Three Cats is located right next door to Leon & Lulu.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span>\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

Meet Delores, the animatronic ticket taker who sits in the old ticket booth and talks about
\nwhat\u2019s going on at the store and the restaurant.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n

Three Cats began as a coffee
\nshop but later became a fine dining establishment when Mary Liz partnered with
\nthe famous Chef Matt Prentice, who liked her approach to business and
\ncharitable works. Three Cats survived the pandemic with Chef Prentice\u2019s 3 for
\n$39 gourmet carry-out dinners that included soup, a main dish, side and
\ndessert. Sadly, Chef Prentice passed away unexpectedly in April 2021. He was replaced
\nby Chef Drew Cayuela, who trained under Prentice and continues his legacy at
\nThree Cats.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Three
\nCats offers everything from coffee to fine dining. Guests dine surrounded by fun
\nproduct. Talk about your add-on sales opportunity!<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

That
\ntruck gets around. The decor is ever changing.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Hungry yet?<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

So, how do you fill a store
\nthis size, with so many departments? Attending trade shows is a definite must. Each year
\nMary Liz and her buyers attend markets in High Point, Dallas, Atlanta, New
\nYork, and Las Vegas. Buying five apparel collections a year requires trips to numerous
\nclothing trade shows, plus one in Europe \u2013 customers love that. Mary Liz said
\nit took a while to realize she needed more than just her eyes choosing product.
\nYou need others opinions as well or you could end up with a merchandise mix
\nthat does not resonate with all shoppers.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t make your rent on
\nnew items alone,\u201d Mary Liz advises. \u201cYou need product that will sell through,
\nso work with your solid vendors to identify these items. And even when you are
\ntired of a certain item or category, weed out the slow sellers, but don\u2019t bale
\non it if it is still selling. Send an email blast touting the item and keep on
\nselling it.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

But once a trend is over, it
\nhas to go. Leon & Lulu has two sales a year, one in June and another after
\nChristmas. During each sale, merchandise is marked down 30-90%. The final week
\ncustomers are given a coupon for an additional 20% off sale prices. If a
\nshopper doesn\u2019t have a coupon, they can sign up for Leon & Lulu\u2019s email
\nblasts and get one on the spot. (Want to know a secret? Shoppers would get that
\ncoupon anyway, but Mary Liz is bullish on growing her email list because email
\nblasts grow sales.)<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Liz rewards her staff,
\ntoo. Each one receives $20, $30, and $50 coupons at the end of each sale to go
\nshopping, plus another one good for an additional 50% off before that product
\nis donated to charity. Nothing is kept in storage for next year.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

For inspiration in between, Mary
\nLiz shops everywhere for ideas \u2013 including gas stations and mini-marts \u2013 but
\nespecially indie retailers. Each time she attends a trade show she tries to
\ntake an extra day or two to go shopping, \u201cWhen you are feeling receptive you
\ncan find great ideas anywhere. If you\u2019re in a bad mood you\u2019ll hate it all, but when
\nyou\u2019re in a good mood you\u2019ll find 10 great vendors.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

She added apparel to the store after
\nnot being able to find clothing she wanted to be seen in. During one of those
\nafter show excursions she visited a store that had wonderful apparel, but she had
\nno time to shop. \u201cBuy it all,\u201d Stephen said, and she did. Customers and staff
\nloved her new wardrobe, so those vendors became part of Leon & Lulu\u2019s merchandise
\nmix. Apparel now accounts for one-third of the store\u2019s business. Getting people
\nto try it on is key.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Garments
\nat the end of each rack and atop each display are carefully accessorized to encourage add-on sales.<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

The
\nambiance is elegant and lighting is strong. And flattering. Shoppers over the age of 60 require three times the light to see clearly as
\nshoppers in their 20s. What good is a great mix of product of shoppers can\u2019t
\nsee it?<\/span> <\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Accessories
\nare displayed together using a variety of fixtures. Notice the attention to
\ndetail above the scarves displayed on the wall, and the chandelier. We love a
\nwell- placed chandelier.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Why
\njust sell a dress when you can sell a couch, too? Or visa-versa.<\/span> <\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Leon
\n& Lulu\u2019s \u201cSmall Crawl\u201d Business Tours<\/span> <\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

In 2020, Mary Liz took
\ncustomers on “Small Crawls” – tours of independently owned stores and restaurants in Clawson,
\nand the towns surrounding her store. In each one she modeled outfits from Leon
\n& Lulu, explaining what she would wear to a visit to that particular business,
\nand how she would accessorize that outfit. Those video tours sold a lot of
\nclothing. Mary Liz would hit the road at the crack of dawn so the filming wouldn\u2019t
\nbe interrupted by noisy trucks. And since there were multiple clothing changes
\nrequired, she traveled in a van, AKA mobile fitting room.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

You
\ncould spend hours getting lost in this store.<\/span> <\/span><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Because of the size of the
\nstore, and its huge inventory, the sales floor is highly organized.
\nCross-merchandising is utilized only at the front of the store. The rest of the
\nsales floor merchandises categories all in one place. Looking for a purse?
\nThere\u2019s a department for that.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Decor
\nitems to complete each room setting are incorporated into the vignette.<\/span> <\/span><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Furniture is displayed
\nthroughout the sales floor in vignettes of approximately 10\u2019x20\u2019. Wherever
\npossible two couches are displayed back to back, with portable walls on wheels
\nused to define each space. The walls on wheels are also used to define the gift
\narea located at the center of the store.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The furniture vignettes tell
\nstories. One of our favorites is \u201cThe guy who got divorced and his wife took
\nall the good stuff\u201d vignette!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

This is
\nan actual truck turned store fixture that moves about the sales floor. Note the
\ngreeting cards housed on the far right wall. Mary Liz says they have made a big
\ncomeback; Leon & Lulu sells a lot of cards these days.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

There
\nis always something interesting above your head. In this case its parasols, but
\nyou may also find parchment wall hangings, antique ads or circus banners.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Gurgle Pots are one of Leon
\n& Lulu\u2019s bestselling items. The pots can be used as a vase as in this wagon
\ndisplay, or as a pitcher that makes a delightful gurgling sound when liquid is
\npoured from it.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

When
\ndisplayed face out on a table, books garner more attention than those displayed
\nspine out on a wall, library style.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

If
\nadd-on sales is one of your goals, displays like this assortment of household
\nitems is your merchandising best friend. The plastic crates, spinner rack and
\ntall shelf entice customers to stay a while and shop.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

This is
\na great example of a treasure hunt display. Shoppers are certain to linger here
\nand leave with more than they had intended to buy. The movable walls allow for
\noptimal display flexibility.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

Merchandising
\na toy car on a coffee table? Why not?<\/span> <\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

This
\ndisplay is what we call \u201cdressed.\u201d Pillows, candles, clocks, cups and saucers
\nadd to the hominess of this colorful display. The coordinated pieces help
\nshoppers visualize what the product might look like in their own homes.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s
\nanother shot of those movable walls. The round shelving unit on the table in
\nthe center creates a pyramid effect, bringing the eye up and over the entire
\narea, causing shoppers to see more of the items on display.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

We told you this place is eclectic!<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Mary
\nLiz at one of her many charity based in-store events.<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

 <\/span>Pre-pandemic, Mary Liz held
\napproximately 80 charity based events at her store and restaurant. Now, the
\nstore is gearing back up with frequent but smaller events. We have no doubt
\nthat Leon & Lulu will be back up to 80+ as soon as it is safe to do so.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

On any given week you might
\nfind a full-on charity event, like the Chair-ity Benefit that auctioned off chairs
\nfound at garage sales and turned into works of art by some of Michigan\u2019s top
\ndesigners. All proceeds went to The Turning Point Shelter for victims of
\ndomestic and sexual abuse. Other in-store events give a portion of the night\u2019s proceeds
\nto a deserving cause. Organizations such as the Women of Hadassah, PTAs, and
\nlocal school groups can be frequently found gracing the sales floor at Leon
\n& Lulu, shopping for a cause.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

These retail events include trunk
\nshows, demos, fashion shows featuring customers as models, book readings and
\nbook signings by authors, and artist markets that happen four times a year, right
\non the sales floor. \u201cMade to Eat in Michigan\u201d is a favorite that features
\nsmall-batch artisanal food vendors who generously provide tastings of their
\nfood items sold at Leon & Lulu.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

This
\ndisplay features some the \u201cMade to Eat in Michigan\u201d food items that are sold every day at Leon
\n& Lulu.<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n

When
\nthings were Covid quiet last year Mary Liz turned up the volume with the Leon
\n& Lulu Jingle Contest. The prize was $1000, dinner for four at Three Cats,
\nand a big basket of Leon & Lulu Loot. Hundreds entered, 10 made the finals but
\nthe judges could only choose one winner. DJ Truth took home the prize with his
\n\u201cNeed to, Get to, Leon & Lulu\u201d. Check it out on YouTube. It\u2019s an ear worm;
\nwe guarantee you will be humming it for days.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

DJ
\nTruth wins big in the Leon & Lulu Jingle Contest.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

There
\nis never a dull moment at Leon & Lulu. It\u2019s that experience we always talk
\nabout. Mary Liz\u2019s goal is to make people happy; she\u2019s thrilled when people come
\nin and just enjoy themselves. So the next time you find yourself anywhere in
\nthe Detroit area, set aside time to visit, because you need to, get to, Leon
\n& Lulu!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

COPYRIGHT KIZER & BENDER 2021  |  ALL
\nRIGHTS RESERVED | RETAIL ADVENTURES BLOG<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Retail<\/a><\/p>
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  The word \u201ceclectic\u201d has been used to describe all sorts of things but perhaps its best use is to describe Leon & Lulu, Mary […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9843","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9843","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9843"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9843\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9843"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9843"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9843"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}