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Lemons & Limes

2020’s Business of the Year Has Even Bigger Plans

Article by Elizabeth A. Lowry

Photography by Elizabeth A. Lowry

Originally published in Loveland Lifestyle

Lemons & Limes, like many burgeoning businesses, started off with humble beginnings. Owner Wendy Knight says she began running her shop six years ago out of her dining room with the idea that she could connect shoppers with the best in boutique shopping, regardless of where they were located. 

“What started as a creative outlet and a fun side project has become so much more now,” Wendy says. “I created our website and all operations were out of my dining room and garage. Every bit of Lemons & Limes was created by me: the website, the logo, and every piece we carry in our shops was personally selected.”

Even though Wendy spent a lot of time getting her idea off the ground and coming up with inventive ways to make it work, all that time and persistence eventually paid off in the form of expansion, growth—and recognition. 

From Flagship Brand Lauren Lane ...

But before Wendy could start connecting people to brands, she had to figure out how to get them to pay attention to her small start-up. As it turns out, the best way to get the attention of the big guys is to become one yourself. 

“One of the biggest challenges in the beginning was finding brands that would work with a small start-up—most required large order minimums or had rules about not working with online retailers,” Wendy says. “I knew there had to be a better way to serve entrepreneurs like myself, so I decided to start my own wholesale division in order to support other retail startups. I created Lauren Lane, which is the brand I now design and produce jewelry and accessories under.”

Luckily, launching Lauren Lane served its purpose, not only in helping Wendy start her website but also getting her products into the hands of other retailers—more than 4,000 globally to date. 

 ... To Lemons & Limes Expansion and Growth 

While Wendy had been using the backroom of the Lemons & Limes brick-and-mortar shop in downtown Loveland for warehousing and shipping, all of that’s about to change, as they recently moved those operations to make more room to expand their retail space. 

In addition to expanding the flagship store, Wendy says she’s excited to announce a second retail concept opening soon in historic downtown—look for her new Loveland Mercantile, which will feature locally inspired goods and artisans. She’s also opening a second Lemons & Limes boutique, located in Enyart Square off Montgomery Road in Symmes Township.

“Loveland will always be our flagship store, but the Symmes location will finally bring my vision of having a makers studio for events and parties to our community,” Wendy explains. “You will be able to shop your favorite Lemons & Limes fashions, accessories and gifts there, but also expect a fun lineup of events for the summer like succulent planting classes, charcuterie board making, jewelry making and a lot more!”

And, even though her brand has expanded around the world, her presence has been particularly felt and acknowledged right here at home. “We live here—as a business in Loveland, we only exist if our community supports us,” Wendy says. “We feel it is our responsibility and privilege to support those in our town.”

Lemons & Limes has donated to area schools and has been working with Tigers, Inc.—a business education program out of Loveland High School that offers experiential learning. “They are in their second year, just like our storefront, and seeing the evolution of Tigers, Inc., and L&L has been a lot of fun,” Wendy explains.

The Chamber of Commerce also recognized them for all of their achievements during the difficult year that was 2020, honoring Lemons & Limes with the Business of the Year Award for their work in not only fighting to keep the shop open, but for finding ways to positively impact the business community, like the hundreds of Random Acts of Kindness kits they were able to donate to frontline workers. 

“The business district is stronger when we work together—community over competition,” Wendy adds. 
 

LemonsLimesBoutique.com | 301 W. Loveland Ave., Loveland | 513.952.8707

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