NORTH SHELBY – Cahaba Lily South, a new store off U.S. 280, offers customers a unique combination of home furnishings, gifts, baby clothing and accessories, and home staging services.

The store is owned by Linda Ford, Iris Jacobsen and Sue Matthews, who have a combined more than 30 years of experience in both interior design and retail/real estate.

The owners met another through working at Greystone Marketplace and The Mercantile, and eventually conversations led to a joint venture.

“I think we’re all extremely talented in what we do,” Ford said.

Ford’s daughter, a dentist at Calera Dental Center, came up with the name because of the beauty and rarity of the Cahaba lily, which is only found in portions of the Cahaba River.

Then, a friend, Robina Keith, hand painted the logo, which was first created on a wall behind the counter in the store.

“To see it come alive, it was amazing,” Ford said.

A grand opening was celebrated April 5-8, and a ribbon cutting ceremony was held April 11.

Cahaba Lily South carries Kendra Scott jewelry, Beatriz Ball, Capri Candles and Rothschild products, among others, including several lines that are unique to the store inside the 35242 zip code.

The store’s wide range of products attracts different demographics.

“We have all ages coming through here,” Ford said.

Some items are available for as little as $15

Other services include baby and bridal registries and free gift wrapping.

A sister company, Set the Stage, offers real estate staging services.

Based on customer’s needs and budgets, a decorating package is put together to make a home or business site more attractive to potential buyers.

Ford, who also works in real estate with Arc Realty, can then list the property.

“We’re not out there to just sell you something,” Jacobsen said. “We respect your budget and your needs. We can work with what you have.”

Two common steps for people looking to sell properties is to declutter and modernize, she said.

Cost for the staging services is based on an hourly rate.

Another avenue being explored by the people behind Cahaba Lily South is an event rental service offering items that would be needed for events such as dinner parties.

“We’re not sit on the couch ladies,” Jacobsen said.

The owners also stressed that they want the business to be community-minded, which could include hosting programs on health issues and church groups.

Cahaba Lily South is located at 5479 U.S. 280, Suite 117, in the Arbor Place shopping center, and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Most of the promotion of Cahaba Lily South has been through the NextDoor app.

The business has a strong social media presence, and the owners said eventually customers will be able to make purchases through the website, CahabaLilySouth.com.

Contact Cahaba Lily South at cahabalilyllc@gmail.com or 490-6210.