By Isabel Hamilton, Journalism Intern
The Marilyn’s stores have long been a favorite of Lakeside first-time visitors and veterans alike.
Those on the younger side have fond memories of saving pocket change to buy Tootsie Rolls and gummy treats at the candy wall, while older Lakesiders turn to Marilyn’s for gifts, souvenirs and much more.
Marilyn Burns, owner of Marilyn’s and Marilyn’s Two, discusses how she brought her stores to Lakeside, special memories, the Fourth of July and what Lakeside means to her as a business owner.
In 1999, Burns opened her first store in Lakeside in the space now occupied by Gifts That Give Back. She came to Lakeside from Toledo, where she was a schoolteacher and retail owner. After leaving Toledo, Burns brought her retail expertise to Lakeside, where she quickly outgrew her first space and moved to her familiar location on Walnut Avenue in 2002. Four years later, she opened Marilyn’s Two on Second Street.
Speaking on her experience here in Lakeside compared to Toledo, Burns joked, “I make half the money and have 20 times the fun.”
Marilyn’s and Marilyn’s Two are ingrained in many peoples’ Lakeside experiences and now multiple generations of Lakesiders have enjoyed searching the aisles for the perfect souvenir.
“Since I’ve been here 25 years, my first customers are bring[1]ing their kids in,” Burns said.
Knowing her audience, Burns pays close attention to the family-oriented Lakeside experience, aligning herself and her stores’ merchandise with the needs and principles of the community and keeping things “Lakeside appropriate.”
The Marilyn’s stores also play a large role in the Lakeside community. Notably, on the Fourth of July, Burns personally signs 550 red-white-and-blue beach balls to toss out from her parade float. Burns was also the Grand Marshal of the parade one year, which she said “felt like a big honor.”
When asked why she wanted the Marilyn’s stores to be a corporate sponsor of the Sesquicentennial, Burns mentioned wanting to support Lakeside because of all the work that goes into making it the “happy town” we know and love.
“We shouldn’t take it for granted, because a lot of work has gone into making it what it is,” Burns said.
Special thanks to Marilyn’s, a beloved Lakeside business, for its continued support of Lakeside and for being a sponsor of the Sesquicentennial season.
