As a young girl, Lindsey Cross Lee loved all things fashion and design. As she grew up, this passion eventually led her to the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York, the alma mater of fashion designers Donna Karan and Tom Ford. Lindsey also spent a year at the London School of Economics, taking courses in business and finance that served her well when she returned home to Memphis and opened her own boutique — which has expanded into two!
Mrs. Post Fine Stationery and Gifts offers creative and thoughtful gifts, beautifully customized stationery and invitations, and a lovely selection of paper goods. London & York carries designer and European children’s clothing, toys, and gifts. Meet the charming and creative FACE of Memphis behind Mrs. Post and London & York, Lindsey Cross Lee!
Tell us about your path to opening Mrs. Post.
The first invitations I ever designed were for a Vogue writer while I was still in art school. From there, I knew I was hooked. Shortly after that, I created surprise birthday invitations for the wife of the owner of Bergdorf Goodman. After graduating at age 22, I created Lemon Tree Paper, my own wholesale line of party invitations, note cards, and gift wrap that was sold in over 500 stationery shops nationwide. On the side, I began working with a few clients on custom invitations for special events, and it blossomed into the stationery and gift shop it is today!
You opened your second brick-and-mortar store in 2020. What attracted you to the new location?
I opened the original location of Mrs. Post in Chickasaw Oaks in 2010. A decade later, I wanted to offer a more convenient location with greater visibility and accessibility for customers. I found exactly what I was looking for at the renovated corner of Poplar and Mendenhall. I loved the charming exteriors and the amazing collection of neighboring shops and restaurants at Williamsburg Village Shopping Center.
Mrs. Post officially opened at the Mendenhall location in 2020. People told me opening a new location during COVID was risky, but the timing felt right to me. As business slowed during the pandemic, I knew I had to be creative if I wanted to stay ahead — even personally driving purchased items to the front doors of local customers at the end of each day. Many of my customers lived in the East Memphis area, and the new store locations were closer to them, so that was the silver lining, confirming that I had made the right choice.
London & York opened in 2021 and grew out of the overwhelming response to the children’s lines that I carried in Mrs. Post. Customers kept asking for more children’s clothing and gifts, and it began taking over the floor space in Mrs. Post! I thought that if I created a children’s boutique next door, I could expand our offerings from babies to tweens, and it was exciting to work in fashion again. I named it London & York to honor my college days in New York and London, and I put together a unique collection of lines from Parisian designers, the youth lines of high-end designers like Stella McCartney, Scotch & Soda, and johnnie-O.
What keeps your custom invitation customers coming back?
One of our most rewarding experiences is working with clients to create invitations that reflect the unique vision and individuality of a person or event. A long-time client’s son recently wanted a basketball-themed bar mitzvah invitation, and she wanted it to be something that no one had ever seen before. We printed them on wood flooring with additional information on mini foam fingers and reply cards modeled like scoreboards. Even the programs were round like a basketball. She laughs that we never tell her something is impossible! Some clients have a clear vision for the design, and we enjoy bringing that to life, while others tell us the big picture idea and ask us to do whatever it takes to make it magical.
What are some of your go-to gift recommendations for customers?
At Mrs. Post, I love to give pretty coffee table books, candles, and Memphis notecards. My recommendations change seasonally – Fall is a great time for pillows (including our custom-made Memphis pillows) and cozy throws from Scotland. At London & York, I love pairing a soft Jellycat stuffed animal with a sweet blanket or watercolor gel crayons. We have a large collection of beautifully made wooden dollhouses, castles, and car stations from London. Between the two shops, we have great gifts for your mother all the way down to your friend’s upcoming baby shower.
Where can we find you when you aren’t working?
I can usually be found walking my dogs, [spending time] at the Junior League of Memphis, traveling as much as possible, and constantly redesigning my home.
What’s your best piece of advice?
Dolly Parton once said, “You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try!” She has been my inspiration as I took the initial leap into this business and then again as I expanded into two distinct shops.
Aside from faith, family, and friends, what are three things you can’t live without?
I can’t live without my puppies, a pretty wallpaper, and a good book on the nightstand.
Thank you, Lindsey! All photography by Jeff Lee.
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