Elle & Jane , a natural skincare destination offering organic products and spa treatments, has quickly made a name for itself in the vibrant St-Henri neighborhood of Montreal.
Opened two years ago by Casey Flanz and her business partner Gracie Oliver, the boutique has become a go-to spot for those seeking high-quality, toxin-free beauty solutions.
“We started the business almost about two years ago now,” said Flanz. “We’re located in St-Henri, which is a very up-and-coming neighborhood in Montreal. I’d compare it to what Brooklyn is to New York—a bit removed from downtown, but filled with charm, trendy cafes, restaurants, and a growing community of young professionals.
“We’re close by downtown Montreal but not right in the heart of all the action. We’re in a bit more of a residential area.”
The name Elle & Jane reflects the boutique’s ethos of balance and duality. “We didn’t want to name it Casey and Gracie because it sounded like a nursery rhyme,” explained Flanz. “Elle & Jane represents two alter egos: Elle, a sophisticated woman, and Jane, a cooler, edgier persona. Plus, ‘Elle’ means ‘her’ in French, which ties into the local culture here in Montreal.”
A Holistic Approach to Beauty
Elle & Jane offers a dual experience: a retail section featuring meticulously curated organic skincare brands and a tranquil spa area providing facials and treatments. The owners emphasize the importance of organic and non-toxic beauty.
“We specialize in organic treatments because people are becoming more aware of the harmful chemicals in many skincare products,” said Flanz. “We take pride in doing the research so our customers don’t have to. They can trust that our offerings are safe and effective.
“We have our retail aspects in the front of our boutique and then we have our spa services in the back of our boutique which is very nice and relaxing.”
The boutique also highlights Canadian brands, with a strong focus on supporting female entrepreneurs.
“We don’t have only female-owned businesses but we like to try to have a lot of female-owned brands as well,” added Flanz.
Filling a Gap in the Market
The inspiration for Elle & Jane Boutique came from Flanz’s personal skincare journey and her partner’s observations of Montreal’s market.
“I was struggling with my skin and trying to figure out the best way to do it. I had met a friend and she was from Vancouver and she felt in Vancouver there was so much more wellness, organic skincare and the beauty industry was maybe a little bit more advanced there,” said Flanz.
“And when she moved here she noticed a bit of a lack in the market for organic products and I was in my own journey trying different organic products. We decided to come up with a concept where people didn’t have to go and do all this research to try and find the products that are best for them. They can just come and trust that we have a selection that would be suited for them.”
The boutique’s 1,200-square-foot space also serves as a hub for community events and collaborations.
“In the future, definitely (we’d like to do another store), but at the moment we’re just looking to kind of expand off what we’re doing. Add more treatments, new brands. But it’s definitely a goal in the future to open another location,” she said.
“We do a lot of events and collaborations with other local and small businesses which is really a fun thing. We’ll kind of dabble in other wellness industries. We’ve done Pilates collaborations or arts collaborations. We really like to expand off that idea of self care and what that can mean to people in all different aspects.”
