During her six years as a business owner in downtown Tomball, Nancy Merritt has worked to create a welcoming space for customers looking for natural products to help them feel better.

“I love the one-on-one with the customers—creating a calming atmosphere for my customers, providing a listening ear and giving them a few minutes in their day to come in and de-stress,” Merritt said.

She and her husband, Bill, opened Naturally Nancy’s in June 2010 along Commerce Street in Tomball. The shop offers a wide variety of vitamins and supplements, essential oils, natural pet products and jewelry made to offer health benefits, such as amber teething beads for babies and rings to relieve arthritis pain.

“Everything in here is very high quality,” she said. “A lot of it we use ourselves, so we can attest to the value of it and how well it works. I am all about quality, so everything that I bring in here, I do a thorough check on it. ”

Before opening her shop, Merritt worked as a social worker and in the medical field, managing physical rehabilitation and providing geriatric care. She said while she does not diagnose conditions or diseases, she can recommend products and advise against anything that might interfere with allergies or prescription medication.

“My goal is to help empower the customers and to help them to make informed decisions about their health,” Merritt said. “I am not a doctor, and I do not diagnose, so I want people to understand that this is a nutritional balance. But I help to nourish the body.”

The shop is a part of Relics By The Railroad, a collection of stores near the railroad track between Main and Commerce streets. Merritt said having new restaurants open near the tracks has helped drive new customers to the area.

“We’re growing; we’ve always had the [Whistle Stop] Tea Room outside my door, and they’ve recently opened Jane and John Dough, and Tejas [Chocolate],” she said. “Tomball’s really growing, and it’s great to be part of it. It helps business to have new places that draw more people.”

Merritt said she has many regulars who come in often to stock up, try new products or just visit her dog, Cardigan, who she brings into the shop each day. However, she has seen an uptick in the number of mothers looking for alternative, natural remedies for common children’s ailments.

“There are a lot of young moms that are really starting to embrace more natural items for their children’s health,” she said.

Naturally Nancy’s also offers a selection of products and jewelry from Texas sources. Bill makes many of the natural soap bars found in the shop for $5.95, while many of the lavender products—which are especially popular at the shop—come from a farm in Bellville, Texas, she said.

“I love local—anything local, I love to bring in,” Merritt said.  “I just love to help people … whether it’s physically, emotionally or spiritually—that’s what I love to do.”

121 Commerce St., Tomball
713-501-0701
www.naturallynancy.net
Hours: Tues.-Fri. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 10a.m-5 p.m.,
closed Mondays and Sundays