Lulu's offers blasts from past
_BY PETE SKIBA Florida Weekly Correspondent
Walk into LuLu's Gift Emporium in Royal Palm Square for a glimpse of fresh-retro nostalgia.

PHOTO PETE SKIBA FLORIDA WEEKLY Lulu's owner Laura Jane (LuLu) McGee in her Royal Palm Square shop. Stationary and invitations are a big part of the store's business.

The shop's colors and gift items fairly leap out at customers, while the scent of flavored candles brings a touch of the days when bobby-soxers ruled and every girl had stuffed animals crowding for space on her bed.

"LuLu's is a gift store at its heart that tells a story about a lifestyle in a more nostalgic time," said Michael Hayes, a merchandiser at the store. "You won't find the vintage-appeal items we sell at a mass merchandizing store."

Everything in the store from the candles to the stuffed animals to children's toys to the decorator items looks crafted by hand to give it the personal touch. The shop's name comes from a childhood nickname.

"I started out as a personal stationary and invitation store," said owner Laura Jane (LuLu) McGee. "I saw a need for a place that had unique gifts that would appeal to people and we grew."

Stationary and invitations to parties and weddings remain a good part of the store's business. A customer can have a consultation and get the exact type of keepsake invitation for a wedding they would like.

Brides can register at the store before their wedding. One former bride, now a mother, loves the products and the service at LuLu's.

"I have three kids at home and when I need a present for a birthday party I just call and they know exactly what to get for a 3- or 5-year-old," said Danielle Allen, a Fort Myers resident. "Laura Jane even dropped off a gift at my house when I needed it."

The staff loves to help people and Janice Maxey takes real pride in her gift wrapping creations.

"I just love to make nice, really nice gift wrapping for people," Maxey said. "It brightens everything."

In business for five years, two at the Royal Palm Square Location next to the Shrimp Shack, the store's décor changes with the season. The shop's décor now reflects the approaching Christmas season.

Adding to the retro feel, posters of McGee's family hang in different sections of the store. Baby posters are in the baby area for instance. Family Christmas photos sit in the windows.

"We like to evoke fond memories of childhood in the store," Hayes said. "There are also many gifts and cards for adults."

Royal Palm Square sits on the south side of Colonial Boulevard just at the foot of the Midpoint Bridge. In addition to LuLu's, it features the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, A Swedish Affair, a Scandinavian gift and food store, Nautilus Photography and many offices and stores among fountains and landscaping.

LuLu's is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and is closed Sundays.