Great-granddaughter of Greenville’s first Merle Norman franchise owner carries on family tradition

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An international cosmetics company that specializes in skin care, personal care and makeup products has set up shop in the Verdae Village Shopping Center in Greenville — through a franchisee with history in Greenville.

Norman Cosmetics has taken residence of a 1,500-square-foot space on the corner of Laurens Road and Verdae Boulevard, offering customers the company’s signature top-of-the-line cosmetic products and services, and is equipped with an experienced staff and three rooms available for rent to estheticians, according to a news release.

The Verdae Village studio is owned by Jessica Carter, a fourth-generation franchise owner whose great-grandmother, Beryl Hiller, opened Greenville’s first Merle Norman Cosmetics franchise on Laurens Road in 1958, the release said.

“We’re excited to open our studio at Verdae Village,” Carter said. “My great-grandmother was passionate about entrepreneurship and making women look and feel beautiful every day, and I feel honored to follow in her footsteps by opening this store.”

The company was founded in 1931 by Merle Nethercutt Norman, a pioneer of the cosmetic industry, with the vision of empowering women in life and business. In addition to the company’s traditional services, Merle Norman Cosmetics at Verdae Village offers spray tanning and free steam facials, makeovers and foundation color checks. The studio also plans to have at least two sales a year and 12 days of Christmas specials, the release said.

Merle Norman Cosmetics joins a variety of tenants at the Verdae Village Shopping Center, including Food Lion, Lowe’s Outlet, Planet Fitness, Office Depot, Greenfield’s Bagels, Mr. K’s Used Books, and 19 Wine & Spirits.

The studio is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about the Merle Norman Cosmetics studio, visit www.merlenormanstudio.com.

Verdae Village is owned and operated by Aston Properties, which was founded in 1980 by Steele Dewey to provide shopping centers in communities throughout the Southeast and mid-Atlantic. In the Upstate area, in addition to Verdae Village, Aston Properties owns North Hills Shopping Center, McDaniel Village, and Powdersville Plaza.