February 20, 2025 Valentine's Day may be over, but an evening of love and fun…
May 20, 2025
The City of Mebane is growing, and so is its downtown scene. Filled with various options such as restaurants, pubs, clothing stores, vintage furniture, and more, downtown Mebane is a destination you won’t want to miss. Downtown Mebane thrives with fresh energy and vibrant new businesses, with the latest additions already creating quite the buzz. Whether looking for a stylish lifestyle boutique or gourmet olive oils, vinegar, meal mixes, and more, Pink Lola and Palato Gourmet will surely win you over.
Pink Lola - Where Style Meets Charm
Pink Lola received a warm welcome to downtown Mebane in early April. The store had its official ribbon cutting on April 16, featuring Mebane's mayor, the Downtown Mebane Development Corporation, and Pink Lola's founder, Mary Katherine Smith. Located at 132 W Clay Street, Pink Lola is more than just your average boutique; it comes with a rich backstory and a selection of things for everyone.
Owner Mary Katherine began her retail journey at 16, creating displays for a local boutique, which quickly became a lifelong passion. She opened her first store, Magnolia Interiors, offering consultations and home decor. She then opened another storefront in downtown Burlington, selling home decor, gifts, and apparel. Since then, Pink Lola was born to combine all her passions while still making time to spend with her grandbabies, from assisting people with an outfit for a party, a thoughtful gift, or preparing their homes for a party.
While different from her other two stores, this new storefront carries just as much fun, passion, and color! Filled with personality and flair, Pink Lola offers a range of items such as ladies' clothing, jewelry, home decor, gifts, and more! Walking into the store, I found it had much more than I expected. It had colorful clothes and jewelry, unique home decor pieces, handmade soaps, and many Mebane-esque stationery products.
The Mebane storefront is Pink Lola's latest venture. Its original and first storefront is in Gibsonville. However, you can also find its offerings at other stores, such as Carriage House in Greensboro and Boxwood Antique Market in High Point. Mary Katherine buys and displays the merchandise at these locations while the stores sell it, allowing her more time with her cherished grandbabies.
Pink Lola Boutique travels across the state to various markets and pop-up events throughout the year. These events range from large to small-scale and include locations such as Greensboro, Elon, Charlotte, and more! Not only can you shop Pink Lola at other stores and on the road, but you can also shop online at https://shoppinklola.com/.
At its core, Pink Lola is more than a boutique. It's a celebration of women, creativity, and the belief that everyone deserves a beautiful life. Pink Lola's goal is to love its customers and support them in any way possible. With roots in experience and a heart for community, Pink Lola brings something truly special to downtown Mebane.
Palato Gourmet - Culinary Destination for Food Fanatics
Just a few doors down from Pink Lola is the unique Palato Gourmet shop. Opening its doors in early April, the store had its official ribbon cutting on April 29, featuring Mayor Hooks, the DMDC, and the owner, Martha Elbitar. Located at 126 W Clay Street, Palato Gourmet offers beautifully curated Olive Oils and Vinegars perfect for your next exquisite dish.
When you enter the store, you are greeted by rows of beautifully curated gourmet olive oils and vinegars from various places around the world. Each olive oil or vinegar selection comes with an identification card describing the flavor profile, different ingredients the item contains, and what dish or other selections it could pair well with. Not only do you get to read about each item, but you can also taste it or smell it at your discretion. There are so many olive oils and vinegars to choose from, and there is sure to be the perfect one for the cook in your family.
Olive oil and vinegar are just the beginning. Palato Gourmet also offers an impressive variety of bread mixes, gourmet meal mixes, pastas, spices, sauces, and more. Each item can elevate everyday meals, spice up a nice dinner party with friends, or act as a gift for the exceptional cook in your life. If you’re looking for more than just food items, Palato Gourmet has you covered. They have various kitchen hand towels, olive oil dispensers, handcrafted dipping bowls, and small bowl graters.
The retail space is more than just a place to buy gourmet olive oils, vinegars, spices, or gifts. It’s a place where you can connect with the owners and community members. Martha is passionate about connecting with people over what they love and need regarding food, making it a great place to spend time. The selection of items is elevated, but approachable, making it fun for beginners or well-seasoned chefs. Click here for more on Palato Gourmet.
The next time you visit downtown Mebane, plan to check out the new lifestyle boutique Pink Lola and discover your next staple cooking ingredient at Palato Gourmet. These new businesses aren't just stores but experiences full of heart and local charm.
Written and published by Emma Corbett