Smallflower No Web Wallflower

Smallflower.com has launched an online natural health and beauty boutique. The Chicago-based firm says it offers its customers 124 years of experience in the health and body care industry, the largest in-house collection of natural soaps and homeopathic body care products and herbal treatments from all over the world.

     Smallflower.com traces its history back a century to Merz Apothecary, a Chicago-based European-style apothecary. The store's original customer base consisted of European immigrants who wanted its "exotic" offerings not found in chain drug and beauty stores. The online boutique offers customer care via the Web site, personal e-mail responses, a monthly e-mail newsletter and the availability of personal service over the phone.

     The site allows shoppers to browse by country, choosing from such "unique" items as anti-stress lotion from England, soap from Portugal or eye cream from Israel. Visitors can also "shop by ailment," to find treatments for problems "from cradle cap to athlete's foot." A FlavorFinder function allows customers to select product by scent name or visitors can conduct a search using the more traditional product categories such as lotions, hair care and soaps.

     Smallflower.com also provides visitors with seasonal healthcare and beauty advice, and the online boutique is planning a "Bath of the Month" club featuring products such as Essentiel Elements Wake Up Rosemary Caviar for the Bath and Good Home Co. Orange Calendula Foaming Bath Oil. The site also targets athletes with a variety of runner/marathon-themed herbal products.