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Rebel Roots store has natural theme

Business Spotlight

By MARGUERITE LANTHIER 3 min read

IRON MOUNTAIN -- A new store in the Midtown Mall in Iron Mountain has focused on natural products.

Erin Irish, who opened Rebel Roots in May, has operated a couple of boutiques downtown that mainly sold clothing. They were near Spiro's Restaurant, where she works when not at the boutique.

But they also had a section with natural bath and body products -- something she has always been interested in, she said.

"That went over really well, and I actually liked doing that more. So then when I was ready to do this again, I was, like, 'I'm gonna skip the clothing here and just focus on all natural products.' I have the herbs and teas and I brought that aspect of it, too," Irish said. "When it started, the main things were the soaps and the herbs -- 'get back to the roots,' healthy products without junk in it. And then I added things that just tie in with it, like the foraging books and nature books."

The name Rebel Roots just came to her and she felt it fit the type of overall theme she was trying accomplish -- products that go with that lifestyle.

The store has homemade body products, candles, incense, natural soaps, bath bombs, body products, honey and gift items. She sells straight herbs by the jar, and they're all organic. She has a selection of mixed, blended and loose-leaf teas.

"I have a couple of local women who make lotions and face creams and different stuff like that. And then I have fun stuff, like incense and the candles and gift-y items," Irish said.

She would like to continue to grow what they have available. "I especially really want to build up the tea area aspect of that, have a lot more to choose from and get more local blends," Irish said. "And then I'll eventually expand into other items."

While many of her items can be locally produced, some items, such as the herbs, have to be processed in a certain way to meet health standards, so she can't just take herbs someone has grown in their garden.

"My favorite thing, I'd have to say, is the natural bar soaps. There's a lot of fun scents, but it's all natural -- there's no fake fragrances and stuff in them," Irish said. "And then I really like the just plain herbs because I like to blend them at home myself. I'd say those are my favorites."

The little shop has garnered great word of mouth, has a great selection and customer traffic has been steady, Irish said.

"I only hear great comments and it's been steady, so it's nice. And I have a great spot because there's a lot of traffic right here, too," she said.

The store at 1108 S. Stephenson Ave. is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. They can be reached at 906-239-9352, through the website at rebelrootsgifts.gmail.com or on Facebook.

Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.

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