“We’ve lived out here since the early ‘80s and raised all our children here, and so we really wanted to stay local and someplace close,” said Debbie, a longtime Magnolia resident. “[For] shopping in the area, I noticed there weren’t any good boutiques that had lots of unique things. We really try and find unique items that you might not find everywhere else.”
Twisted Willow Mercantile, which opened in November 2019, offers home decor, clothing, men’s items and pet goods, including products from local Texas artisans.
“We also wanted something that had a little bit of everything,” Caeli said. “We carry some food items like peanuts and Soberdough bread and then clothing, home goods and decor.”
Caeli said working side by side with her mother not only works from a business perspective, but it also helps to create a familial atmosphere in the boutique. ••“We’re mom and daughter, so we have a rapport; we know what the other’s thinking,” Caeli said. “It’s been good for the business because it makes it feel a little bit more like family.”
From its living room-style seating area to its mother-daughter business ownership, Debbie said she hopes the store creates a welcoming environment for its clients.
“Our world is so busy; it would be nice to be able to step back a little bit and relax, and so we try [to] be a calm environment,” Debbie said.
Since the coronavirus pandemic halted business earlier this year, Debbie said business has started to pick up pace again, although challenges still exist.
“It’s tough [with the business] being retail and new on top of it. ... Not everybody knows we’re here yet; people are still learning about us,” Debbie said. “We are smaller, so we can wipe down easier; we can monitor the ins and outs a lot better, and we can social distance a little easier. ... That part is a bonus for small businesses.”
Twisted Willow Mercantile
33020 FM 2978, Ste. 519, Magnolia
936-333-1943
www.facebook.com/twistedwillowmerc
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. noon-4 p.m.
