Leon & Lulu Owner Returns from Trip Abroad With One-of-a-Kind Items

owner Mary Liz Curtin takes trips all across the world. It's the reason her downtown Clawson store is filled with dozens of foreign-made accessories and home decor items.

Curtin traveled to both Peru and India in the past month to search for items to add to her store collection. She spent eight days in each country and returned with bundles of alpaca scarves, hand-stitched blankets, embroidered belts and pillow covers.

"We go to find unusual products and one-of-a-kind things," Curtin said.

The trips abroad typically consist of trade shows and gift shows where Curtin can network with artists and shopkeepers as well as meet with the vendors she orders from. Curtin said her goal is buy from companies who sell quality, useful products that will satisfy her customers. Each show is a different experience for Curtin.

"It's like opening a treasure box because you never know what you're going to find," Curtin said. "It's a success if we can find two to three great things."

Curtin said she purchases items she can sell at all price ranges, including $3 knit rings, and belts and headbands from $13 to $43.  

"We love buying handmade things from the artists," Curtin said.

Curtin said she packs a light suitcase on her buying trips so there's room to bring back all of the goods she purchases. "We come back like gypsies," Curtin said.

But, of course, there are some items that will be shipped from India and Peru, such as furniture pieces, antiques and textiles, she said.

When she's not planning buying trips abroad, Curtin said she's looking for shows to attend in cities like New York, Chicago and Las Vegas.

Leon & Lulu is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, call 248-288-3600 or visit www.leonandlulu.com.