The Lilly Pad, a longtime Homewood business, has undergone a major transformation. While the name remains the same, the business has new owners, a new location and a new purpose.
Known as a children’s consignment shop, owners Lynda Hines Jordan and Israel Gonzalez have changed it into a family consignment store with items for men, women and children.
The new concept for the store is evident when one enters the door at 18667 Dixie Highway. There are rows and rows of clothing, for men, women, teenagers and children, in addition to toys and books for children. Everything is clean, orderly, and attractive.
The pair took over the business from previous owner Debby Tecora in mid-March, but they needed a new location.
“As luck would have it, the building just north of (the previous store) was for rent. Because it was a former gym it is much larger than the original location. We now have 3,300 square feet to display our merchandise,” Jordan said.
“Israel and I started moving everything from the original location to our new address. We had bicycles, roller skates, tricycles, scooters, strollers, etc., and we were literally rolling them down the sidewalk to the new location,” she recalled.
“People driving by saw us and started asking if anything was for sale. By the end of that day, we had sold all the things we were moving to the new store! It was just incredible,” she said.
Jordan attributed the sales to stores being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic so people couldn’t find what they needed or wanted.
The new store opened on June 13, but Jordan didn’t have the huge grand opening she wanted because of COVID-19 protocols. She plans to have one later.
“We are here for the community and we want this to be a fun place for families,” she said. “We will have a big event when we can. Our place has the room for activities and has easy access for all.”
Jordan hopes to add story nights on Tuesdays and arts and crafts sessions on Wednesdays once it is safe for people to gather.
An added touch to the store includes displays of art by local artisans, which the couple is happy to do to show support for the talented people in the community.
Jordan also does whatever she can to supply items Lilly Pad customers want. If it is not yet in the store, she will find it somewhere and buy it for the store.
For example, a customer who moved into a new home is fixing up a princess-style bedroom for her granddaughter. Jordan is helping her and has acquired the pink bedroom princess furniture she wanted.
“If she likes it, we will get it cleaned up and deliver it to her,” she said.
Jordan acknowledges that Israel, her business partner and fiancé, is the “working hands” of the business. “He does all the labor: painting, moving, pick-ups and deliveries. At the end of the day, we want to know that our customers are satisfied.”
Store hours are: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays with extended hours until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
For further information, contact [email protected] or call 708-647-7777.