Our Story
Looking for the perfect place to shop for the perfect gift? That place is Limetree, a locally-owned boutique offering a wide variety of gifts at every price point.
Limetree distinguishes itself from other area gift stores by providing carefully selected merchandise in a fun, comfortable atmosphere. Everything at Limetree is centered on creating the “perfect gift experience,” from the eye-popping window displays, to friendly greeters at the front door, to the check-out process. “Our goal was to open a gift store in the heart of Atlanta with the level of sophistication and selection Atlanta shoppers appreciate, while also offering the personal attention and warmth of a small town boutique,” explains co-owner Angel Touwsma.
No matter the occasion — Christmas, Valentine’s Day, wedding, housewarming, baby shower — Limetree has the perfect gift. The boutique is filled with stylish home décor, functional and whimsical items for the kitchen, casually chic tableware and pottery, Vera Bradley, novelties for the pampered pet, collegiate items for the fan, baby and children’s accessories and toys, and luxurious bath and body products.
Limetree is owned by the mother-son-wife team of Gail Touwsma and David and Angel Touwsma. Gail has over 20 years of industry experience as the former owner of Decatur’s successful Vista Grove Hardware and Gifts. Coupled with David's business and technology background along with Angel's event and marketing skills, Limetree is surely headed for success.
Limetree is continuing to expand, adding more stores for your shopping convenience. Limetree currently has four locations serving Metro Atlanta - Decatur, Vinings, Norcross and Newnan.
Our Timeline
August 23, 1948- Gail Alexa Youngman is born in Brooklyn, NY.
March 31, 1971- Angela Kristine Brown is born in Durham, NC. She left the hospital with the nickname of Angel and never went by her real name again!
August 3, 1973- David Paul Touwsma is born in Brooklyn, NY- yes, Gail is his mommy!
October 11, 1980- Gail Youngman marries Ed Touwsma in Valley Stream, NY and Ed adopts David!
August 4, 1981- Gail, Ed & David move to Atlanta, GA- Welcome Y’all!
January 23, 1982 - Jeffrey Ian Touwsma is born in Atlanta, GA. Gail's true Georgia Peach!
September, 1986 - David celebrates his Bar Mitzvah.
August 13, 1988 - The Touwsmas enjoy a family vacation in Florida. Check out the CEO of Limetree's mullet!
January 1, 1989 - Gail & Ed buy Vista Grove Hardware & Gifts- The family starts their venture in retail!
May 9, 1993 - Angel graduates from College of Charleston.
May 12, 1995 - Angel then gets her masters from University of South Carolina.
June 15, 1996 - David & Angel meet at Butler University in Indianapolis, IN at a Leadership Conference. Notice the amount of hair on David’s head and Angel’s lovely outfit.
March 22, 1997 - David graduates from The Georgia Institute of Technology.
June 2, 2004 - David & Angel get engaged in St. Lucia at the top of the Gros Piton (Yes, David made Angel hike up this HUGE mountain- 2619 feet- to propose!)
July 2, 2004- The first lease for Limetree (at Peachtree Battle) is signed! Let the construction BEGIN!!!!!!
September 15, 2004- Limetree opens its doors!
April 23, 2005- Angel & David get married in Highlands, NC. When they arrived in Highlands on the Wednesday before their wedding it was 72 degrees, but on their wedding day the high was 26 degrees and it snowed!
May 4, 2006- Limetree Vista Grove opens in Decatur- next door to Gail & Ed’s Vista Grove Hardware & Gifts.
November 2, 2006- Limetree Forum opens in Norcross.
November 3, 2006- Georgia Tech College of Engineering inducts David into the Council of Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni.
January 2, 2007- Lucia Youngman Touwsma is born to Angel & David. She was 7lbs 10ozs and arrived at 2:45am. Her name is after St. Lucia, Angel & David’s favorite get-a-way and where they got engaged and Youngman is the last name of David’s grandparents who he loved dearly (and of course Gail’s maiden name too!).
May 4, 2007- Limetree Chastain opens in Buckhead.
June 11, 2007- Ed celebrates his 70th birthday with a surprise party thrown by Gail!
September 14, 2007- Limetree Vinings opens in The Jubilee.
September 30, 2007- Gail, Ed, Angel, David and Lucia go on a much needed vacation after opening Limetree's 5th store!
January 2, 2008- Happy 1st Birthday Lucia!
February 2, 2008- Gail, Angel, David & Lucia go to NYC for the Gift Show. Lucia gets to meet her relatives in NY!
March 2, 2008 – Ed decides to retire and Vista Grove Hardware closes its doors after 20 great years!
June 6, 2008 - Limetree Online Store opens.
October 10, 2008 - Limetree Ashley Park opens in Newnan.
January 14, 2009 - Laurel Sinclair Touwsma is born to Angel & David. She was 5lbs 11ozs and arrived at 1:37pm. Her name is after a beautiful flowering tree that grows in Highlands, NC where Angel and David were married. Sinclair comes from the street that they lived on in Tallahassee, FL. They can now say their children are named after their two most favorite places in the world - St. Lucia and Highlands, NC.
October 11, 2009- Limetree at Peachtree Battle moves to the Avenues at Webb Ginn in Snellville.
October 16, 2009- Limetree at Webb Ginn opens in Snellville.
January 14, 2010- Happy 1st Birthday Laurel!
January 31, 2010- Limetree at Chastain closes.
January 31, 2010- Limetree at Webb Ginn closes.
October 11, 2010- Happy 30th Anniversary Gail & Ed!
Today - Gail, Angel & David can't believe how "their story" has grown but can't wait for the next chapter! Stay tuned for more additions to our timeline! (We may even add more from our past!)
