Eastland Alley Design Company is a lifestyle boutique that specializes in weddings and events.
Tucson natives and friends Kimberly Neal and Theresa Lambert came together in 2016 to start this joint business. They officially moved into a storefront on 4th Avenue earlier this year.
“And little did we know that four weeks later, we would have to Close because of this pandemic,” said Neal.
The core of Eastland Alley, they said, is their love for design and bringing loved ones together.
“The heart is the people and the hub is to create an environment in the space so you can enjoy each other. Well, what has happened, what has hit us. What kind of environment and space are we in right now. It probably is the worst that we've ever seen,” said Neal.
“We were in the midst of our wedding season we had just closed on a really big wedding downtown and had a huge gala coming up, all of which you know just went away,” said Lambert.
They adjusted and figured out a way to sustain their business, while also not putting employees out.
“We collided the product and the heart in one and created these personalized candles that hopefully create a reminder of hope and then also something that can illuminate your home and still celebrate life's moments,” said Neal.
“Coming up with like elopement packages and you know these curated gift boxes that we can send out to kind of recognize these moments that everyone's still wants to acknowledge and celebrate,” said Lambert.
Both said, since the pandemic, their families have been affected on multiple fronts. Dealing with keeping a business alive, being pregnant during a health crisis, being in interracial marriages and families, having children in school and graduating high school, and loosing a loved one who’s life has been difficult to celebrate due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“All of these pockets of how you enjoy life has really been struck. Everybody around the world has that impact in some way or layer in their life,” said Neal.
So Neal and Lambert’s mission continues even with their storefront closed: instilling the reminder of hope and that life’s big moments are still meant to be celebrated.