By LAURA BROOKHART / Community Columnist

When Lucy Lou’s Gifts opened just this past November, they found themselves scurrying to finish the necessary repairs and update and freshen the interior to make their newly claimed space at 4094-B Helena Road ready for First Friday in December.

That festive evening attracted a steady flow of new faces glad to welcome them and browse. The shop has a compendium of ladies clothing, jewelry, monogrammed gifts, candles, soaps and vintage collectibles and primitive restored furniture.

Owner Ashley Savage, a long-time resident of Helena, said, “I have had the opportunity to watch my little hometown grow into a bustling community, which I, myself, never want to leave.”

“All my life I have driven to places like Homewood and Mountain Brook to buy unique boutique items and gifts. I want to be part of changing that for this area. I love to shop and entertain, enjoy fellowship—what better way to have this at hand than opening my own beautiful boutique?”

“The shop is named after my daughter, MaLisa. Lucy Lou is her nickname.”

Other in-store vendors include Blue Tree wearables and Mark and Trista Stewart’s Coral Street Designs featuring personalized T-shirts and monogrammed gifts.

Country Farm Furniture by Lynn and Gwen Harding is an assortment of vintage collectibles, glassware and crockery and amusing sign décor like the one that proclaims “Primitive Gatherings—Crows, Sheep, Willows, Ragballs and Saltbox.”

Just back from market in Atlanta, Lucy Lou’s has spring merchandise already arriving—palazzo pants, shift dresses, and super-soft distressed cotton T-shirts.

“Also continuing big this season is the boho-chic look—crocheted vests, shawl style tops, embroidered skirts, and knee-length skirts—all affordably priced,” adds manager Savanna Freeman.

“When we began planning our concept, we wanted to be eclectic and different,” says Freeman, a self-proclaimed fashionista who selects the styles sold under her Blue Tree label.

“We have something for mom, something for daughter and something for friends,” Freeman added. “And plenty of parking just to the side of the building.”