bringing two names together
THE STORY BEHIND LOLA & MER
the tale of two women
“A common thread between the two of us is our love for our grandmothers, so it’s fitting to name our special store after two special people.”
A cherished tribute to honor their grandmothers, Jen and Katie chose to unite the essence of these remarkable women in the name 'Lola Mer.' The boutique stands as a tribute to the style, strength, and individuality that Lola and Mer embodied.
lola
Amelia “Lola” Romualdez possessed a timeless elegance and flair for fashion. Crowned as a beauty queen in the Philippine’s in 1927, Lola was not only beautiful but also known for her wit, humor, generosity and courage. She survived the WWII Japanese invasion of the Philippines and immigrated to the US, where she and her husband started a new life for their children. Lola left an enduring mark on Jen’s childhood. At a very young age, Lola would take Jen to DC's finest department stores, Hechts, "Woodies" and Garfinkels. Jen would marvel at all of the beautiful fabrics and designs and looked forward to this special time with her grandmother every year. Lola and Jen would spend countless afternoons at Lola's kitchen table discussing the days events. Jen would often think if Lola was her age, they'd be the best of friends.
mer
For Marilyn “Mer” DeBacco, family is everything. After her children were born, with the support of her husband, Marilyn went back to school and earned her college degree. Mer worked, went to school and raised a family, all effortlessly and of course always “dressed to the nines.” She is warm, funny, stylish, smart and not afraid to speak her mind. A quintessential Italian grandma, Marilyn is an amazing cook and always has a seat at the table for her 7 children, 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Some of Katie’s fondest memories with Mer involve Summers on the Cape, specifically walking the seaside town of Chatham to go shopping. Marilyn’s classic and effortless style has forever influenced Katie, so it was only fitting to use a name that embodied Katie’s love of both fashion and the beach, “Mer.” For Marilyn and the sea. At 94, Marilyn’s favorite days still involve a trip to Talbots.
founders
Meet Jen -
Jen got her first pair of designer jeans in middle school and since then her passion for shopping and fashion has been the driving force behind her journey. Jen grew up in a small town in upstate NY. She graduated from Boston College with a degree in Finance and has over 30 years experience in investment business. Jen and her husband Tim, along with their son, daughter and lovable labradoodle, reside in Hingham MA and spend their summers in Orleans’ Nauset beach. Jen’s keen eye for detail and elevated style help shape Lola Mer's unique aesthetic.
Meet Katie -
Katie’s love for fashion goes back as far as she can remember. Katie grew up outside of Philadelphia (Go Eagles!) and graduated from Bucknell University with a BSBA in 2003. Growing up visiting Cape Cod every summer, Katie developed a deep connection to the area. She and her husband Matt decided to move to the Cape and have built a home in the community for themselves and their four boys. Katie’s first job was in retail and since then it’s been her dream to one day open her own store. Imaginative and fun-loving, she loves curating collections that tell a story.