Lacey Petersen, owner of The Lillie in Summerland, has turned her love of needlepoint, mahjong and heirloom-quality craftsmanship into one of the town’s newest retail destinations.
Lacey Petersen, owner of The Lillie in Summerland, has turned her love of needlepoint, mahjong and heirloom-quality craftsmanship into one of the town’s newest retail destinations. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo

The long-awaited grand opening of The Lillie — a concept store devoted to needlepoint, heirlooms and mahjong — brought a charming new retail destination to Summerland’s Lillie Avenue.

Owner Lacey Petersen was on hand May 23 to welcome customers and introduce them to her beautiful new space at 2474 Lillie Ave.

Nothing gets me more excited than discovering a new retail resource, especially when it’s the creation of a local entrepreneur.

Petersen grew up in St. Louis, attended the University of Virginia, and worked in corporate retail for Williams-Sonoma and Serena & Lily in San Francisco.

She moved to Santa Barbara in 2009 and married Summerland native Charlie Petersen in 2012. The couple has three children, ages 12, 9 and 7, who even play a kid-friendly version of mahjong called Mini Mahjer.

“Needlepoint is taking off with younger people,” Petersen told me. “There’s a shift toward an analog lifestyle. For them, it isn’t old-fashioned — it’s an experience they’ve never had.”

Needlepoint and mahjong are two of Petersen’s passions.

She describes needlepoint as meditative and calming, producing beautiful heirlooms such as Christmas stockings, ornaments, belts and backgammon boards that can be passed down through generations.

Mahjong, meanwhile, is social, artistic and brings together people of all ages.

Petersen grew up with handmade family stockings and taught herself needlepoint through YouTube.

Today, many newcomers learn through TikTok. What she’s discovered is that needlepoint often finds people during difficult times.

  • The Lillie, at 2474 Lillie Ave. in Summerland, features a colorful collection of needlepoint canvases, threads, mahjong accessories and custom furnishings designed to inspire creativity and connection.
    The Lillie, at 2474 Lillie Ave. in Summerland, features a colorful collection of needlepoint canvases, threads, mahjong accessories and custom furnishings designed to inspire creativity and connection. Credit: Sara Prince / The Lillie photo
  • Lacey Petersen, owner of The Lillie in Summerland, has turned her love of needlepoint, mahjong and heirloom-quality craftsmanship into one of the town’s newest retail destinations.
    Lacey Petersen, owner of The Lillie in Summerland, has turned her love of needlepoint, mahjong and heirloom-quality craftsmanship into one of the town’s newest retail destinations. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo
  • Visitors to The Lillie can browse needlepoint supplies, mahjong sets, artwork and home décor while enjoying the shop’s relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
    Visitors to The Lillie can browse needlepoint supplies, mahjong sets, artwork and home décor while enjoying the shop’s relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Credit: Sara Prince / The Lillie photo
  • Needle, thread and a custom canvas.
    Needle, thread and a custom canvas. Credit: Sara Prince / The Lillie photo
  • A colorful array of threads.
    A colorful array of threads. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo
  • Mahjong tables are ready to be part of your décor.
    Mahjong tables are ready to be part of your décor. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo
  • The Lillie owner Lacey Petersen, left, and managing director Alea White, who assists with the shop’s day-to-day operations and e-commerce growth.
    The Lillie owner Lacey Petersen, left, and managing director Alea White, who assists with the shop’s day-to-day operations and e-commerce growth. Credit: Sara Prince / The Lillie photo
  • Lacey and Charlie Petersen with their children outside The Lillie.
    Lacey and Charlie Petersen with their children outside The Lillie. Credit: Sara Prince / The Lillie photo

“It quiets an anxious mind and settles your nervous system,” she explained. “Almost everyone who picks it up has a story about why they started.”

One of my favorite features of the shop is the rainbow wall of threads. The outdoor courtyard, complete with fountains and tables, invites visitors to sit, stitch and relax.

Helping run the operation is managing director Alea White, who is assisting with day-to-day operations and e-commerce growth.

Caroline Reitmeyer, 22, designs and paints original needlepoint canvases and serves as the shop’s thread expert, assembling kits and coordinating custom projects.

Everything in this gorgeous space is for sale — not just canvases, threads and mahjong sets, but also furniture, artwork and accessories.

Petersen even designed her own game tables and side tables when she couldn’t find exactly what she wanted on the market.

The Lillie is also collaborating with local artists on exclusive Santa Barbara-inspired needlepoint canvases.

Put The Lillie on your must-visit list. It’s a candy store for crafts lovers, filled with beautiful things — and unlike most candy stores, there are no calories involved.

The Lillie is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Judy Foreman is a Noozhawk columnist and longtime local writer and lifestyles observer. She can be contacted at news@noozhawk.com. The opinions expressed are her own.