Monarch Health & Wellness Boutique will open in early December at 1414 Northpark Drive, Ste. H, Kingwood, in the Centre at Northpark shopping center. The healthy living boutique will sell chemical- and preservative-free groceries as well as beauty products and household goods that are eco-friendly, owner Rachel Kay said. It will also offer supplements, essential oils and local products from Kingwood, Humble and Atascocita businesses.

Kay said the health and wellness store is a tribute to a community figure: Judy Redding, the owner of Natural Kitchen in Kingwood for more than 30 years, who loved butterflies. Kay worked with Redding at Natural Kitchen for more than a year and shopped at Redding's store for years prior.

“Natural Kitchen had so much history, and Judy brought so much to the community,” Kay said. “We want to make sure we show as much gratitude as we can to why Monarch started. This wasn’t just a random thought [to open a store]; this had a direct purpose to honor her spirit.”

www.monarchhealthboutique.com