The Mom & Pop of Our Shop

Mary Liz Curtin & Stephen Scannell

OUR WICKED QUEEN & HEAD WINDOW WASHER

On April 1, 2006, Mary Liz and Stephen opened Leon & Lulu in the former Ambassador Skating Rink in Clawson, against the advice of many business professionals and Mary Liz's mother.

They remortgaged the house and sunk everything they had into the building, the renovation, and not enough inventory to fill it.

15 years later Leon & Lulu is a multi-award-winning retailer known internationally for visual merchandising, innovative marketing, and a varied and interesting product assortment. They expanded to the movie theater next door and opened Three Cats Restaurant.

No longer is there a shortage in inventory. The store is filled with great things from across the globe.

The kids made it through college, the mortgage is paid off and ML and Stephen are still happily married.

A One-of-a-Kind Shop

Leon & Lulu is 15,000 square feet of shopping fun and is living proof that indie retail is alive and well.

It has grown through an event-based charity marketing program and a series of Artists' Markets, book shows, fashion shows and other community based events.

Like many mom and pop businesses, L&L supports many local charities.

A Real Mom & Pop

Interesting fact: Stephen's first store was The Cargo Hold in Birmingham, Michigan. He had that store for 26 years. It was a pop-only store: Mom had her own business as a speaker and writer.

When the kids were little he would put theft detector tags on their shirts to catch them if they tried to run down Maple Road to Marty's cookies.

The kids do not seem to have been harmed by growing up in retail. One works in the store and the other is a rollerskating fire-spinning clown.

And No Plans To Stop

Great retail depends on fabulous product.

In addition to purchasing locally made items, ML and Steve continue to travel to shop for furniture, great gifts, ladies clothing and vintage items.

Leon & Lulu supports many artists, emerging companies and independent dealers.

Their terrific staff, many of whom have been at L&L for more than 10 years, are dedicated, fun and happy to work for a mom and pop.

Usually.

Supporting Other Mom & Pop Shops for

OVER FIFTEEN YEARS

90% of of U.S. businesses are family owned.

24% of family owned businesses are run by women

Family businesses account for 78% of new businesses and 64% of the GDP

Like many small companies, L&L provides health care and a 401K program to their staff.

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