The Sunroom, Levity Health Market, & HoneyLee’s Novelties
Photos by Ingrid Nelson
It’s a curated cooperative of tea and tinctures, massage and mocktails, novelties, suncatchers, spider plants, supplements, and natural body care products woven together by Jen Laffranchini and Leiya Mahoney; owners, shopmates, and co-creators of their shared store in the Seven Hills Neighborhood of Nevada City.
The three businesses share a footprint (and front-door) but are held, owned, and operated under separate ownership. The Sunroom, owned by Leiya, offers massage, gifts, and greenery while, just a few shelves away, Levity Health Market and HoneyLee’s Novelties, owned by Jen, seek a more holistic and diverse approach to wellness. Despite their unique setting, the businesses, and their collective offerings, operate in and amongst one another with an imperceptible fluidity – an act accomplished by two women who share a profound respect for each other’s personal, professional, and creative spaces. “The Sunroom was something I could pour myself into, that I could really be proud of and build,” says Leiya. “It did feel like a risk, at first, to share a space and come together, but we both support each other and our businesses are truly complimentary; it’s been great.”
“Coming together really solidified us as that one-stop-embodiment-shop,” adds Jen. “From massage, to procured plants, to physical, mental/emotional, and sexual health, all of our products and services are compatible with one another; they are reminders of your time in our store, your time surrounded by a sense of well-being. Everything we offer serves as inspiration to seek out those feelings of wellness, of self-care, and of a thoughtfully curated environment in your own home.”
While the Sunroom hosts a massage room staffed by a team of practitioners – Ronja, Leiya, and Vivé – Leiya’s green thumb, and store manager Cayden Brewer’s consistent care, is responsible for the jungle-like feel and effervescent greenery pre-screened and sold in hand-chosen pottery. “I always felt like nature was so healing,” says Leiya. “So, for me, being around plants creates that same sense of calm. They’re a way to extend both nature and nurture into my surroundings. I also curate species that are easy to maintain, but not commonly found.”
Amongst the palms and pothos, Levity Health Market ensures guests are greeted with organic products sourced directly from the local community of herbalists. A Colon-Hydrotherapist with an office just three doors down at Wild Lily Healing Collective, Jen studied at the New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics. In 2018, she was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer (from which she’s since healed) and has used her experience to enlighten others, opening Levity Health Market and HoneyLee’s Novelties that following year. “I grew up eating a standard American Diet. I was not very physically well, in regard to food and lifestyle, so by the time I hit my teens I was dealing with chronic fatigue. When I got into cleansing, colon hydrotherapy, and nutrition, I was in my early 20’s. I’ve been doing it a long time, and I’ve benefited so much that I’ve always been motivated to support other people.”
This fall will mark four and a half years for Leiya and Jen in their communal market off Searls Ave (suite A), providing guests the best of Nevada County’s creators, practitioners, herbalists, and makers under a single roof. And, while customers may continue to view their store as a singular being, it’s all the more reason to believe Leiya and Jen have been predestined “unpartners” from the start, a nod to the synchronicity of their values, and to the collective resource that is The Sunroom, Levity Health Market, and HoneyLee’s Novelties.
530 Searls Ave Suite A, Nevada City, CA
