Merz Apothecary

What Merz Apothecary does

Merz Apothecary is a family-owned retail pharmacy and specialty boutique founded in 1875 in Chicago, currently led by second-generation owner Anthony Qaiyum. The company operates a single 3,400 sq ft flagship store in Lincoln Square stocked with more than 10,000 products spanning natural health, homeopathic remedies, supplements, niche fragrances, men's grooming, and over 700 specialty soaps. Adjacent to the flagship, The Shops at Merz (opened 2018) houses an expanded skin care, men's grooming, and curated niche fragrance counter.

The company's distribution is omnichannel: the Smallflower.com e-commerce platform (founded 1998) supports international direct-to-consumer shipping; an Amazon storefront (active since 2004) uses Fulfillment by Amazon with dedicated warehouse space; and a wholesale arm imports and distributes international brands lacking US distribution. Revenue is generated primarily through product resale across these retail, e-commerce, marketplace, and wholesale channels, supplemented by private-label brands KOBO Candles (acquired 2021, now manufactured in Chicago) and Smallflower Trading Co. soaps. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, but the company offers corporate gifting and gift cards.

Core technology is conventional retail stack: Celerant Technology for point-of-sale and retail management, Klaviyo for email marketing, paid search via Google Ads and DoubleClick, and WordPress/Smallflower.com for e-commerce. There is no evidence of proprietary software, mobile apps, API platforms, or AI/ML capabilities. Growth has been driven by category curation, event programming (fragrance masterclasses, brand-founder meet-and-greets), and selective expansion of physical and digital footprint rather than rapid scaling or outside capital.

Name

Merz Apothecary

Legal name

Merz Apothecary, Inc.

Website

https://merzapothecary.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1875

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Merz Apothecary is a 150-year-old family-owned Chicago specialty pharmacy and boutique retailing natural health, beauty, niche fragrance, and men's grooming products via a Lincoln Square flagship, the adjoining Shops at Merz, the Smallflower.com e-commerce site, and Amazon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Retail Pharmacy

NAICS

Pharmacies and Drug Retailers (456110), Pharmacies and Drug Retailers (45611), Health and Personal Care Retailers (456), Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers (456120), Other Health and Personal Care Retailers (45619)

SIC

Retail-Drug Stores And Proprietary Stores (5912), Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844), Retail-Miscellaneous Shopping Goods Stores (5940)

akta.pro primary industry

Pharmacy-Led Health & Wellness Discount Retail (CRAEAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health, Wellness & Pharmacy Online Retailers (CRAFADAG), Beauty & Personal Care-Focused Catalog Department Store Retailers (CRAGAIAC), Pharmacy Front-End & Sundries Distribution (Health & Wellness, Personal Care, Convenience) (CRAOAHAG)

Keywords

• Retail pharmacy services
• Natural health products
• Homeopathic medicines
• Niche fragrance retail
• Men's grooming supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Brick-and-Mortar Retail Sales: Revenue from physical retail store sales at Merz Apothecary Lincoln Square location and The Shops at Merz. In-store shopping and curbside pickup available. Open Monday-Saturday 10AM-6PM. Customers can browse over 10,000 products including natural health products, homeopathic medicines, supplements, personal care products, niche fragrances, and men's grooming items.
2. E-commerce (Smallflower.com): Online sales through company's own website Smallflower.com, founded in 1998. Ships products to customers worldwide. One of the first e-commerce sites in the industry.
3. Amazon Marketplace: Sales through Amazon as a seller since 2004. Company ships products directly to customers and also utilizes FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon). Dedicated FBA team and warehouse space.
4. Wholesale Distribution: Imports and distributes products internationally, including many products that don't have U.S. distribution. Beauty and wellness wholesale business.
5. Private Label Brands: Acquired KOBO Candles (2021), a collection of elegant and eclectic home scents. Moved manufacturing and operations from New York to Chicago warehouse in summer 2022.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Merz Apothecary is a 150-year-old family-owned retail pharmacy and boutique operating in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood. It sells natural health products, herbal remedies, homeopathic medicines, dietary supplements, organic skincare, niche fragrances, men's grooming supplies, and international personal care brands across brick-and-mortar stores, the Smallflower.com e-commerce site, the Amazon marketplace, and wholesale distribution channels. The company curates over 10,000 products including 700+ specialty soaps and 50+ types of licorice from around the world.

Product overview

Merz Apothecary operates as a multi-channel retail pharmacy and boutique offering, centered around its 150-year-old flagship brick-and-mortar store in Chicago's Lincoln Square. The company distributes products through Smallflower.com (their e-commerce platform founded in 1998) and sells on Amazon as one of the platform's earliest sellers. Their product portfolio includes natural health products, homeopathic medicines, supplements, organic skincare and beauty products, international bath and body care, niche fragrances, men's grooming essentials, and candles. They have expanded through adjacent retail concepts like The Shops at Merz (opened 2018) and private label brands including KOBO Candles (acquired 2021) and Smallflower Trading Co. soap brand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Merz Apothecary Brick-and-Mortar Store A 3,400-square-foot flagship pharmacy and boutique in Chicago's Lincoln Square, custom-built in 1982 to replicate a turn-of-the-century European apothecary with antique pharmacy jars, hand-carved wooden exterior, leaded glass windows, tin ceilings, and solid oak cabinets. Offers in-store shopping and curbside pickup of natural health products, herbal medicines, supplements, niche fragrances, and personal care items.
• Smallflower.com E-commerce Proprietary e-commerce and direct mail platform offering the full Merz Apothecary product catalog of international health, beauty, and personal care products. Ships to customers worldwide with fast shipping.
• The Shops at Merz Boutique retail space adjacent to the Lincoln Square flagship, featuring expanded skin care lines, men's grooming options, natural cosmetics, and a curated collection of niche fragrances with fragrance consultation services.
• KOBO Candles Private label brand of elegant and eclectic home scent candles originally from upstate New York, acquired and now manufactured in-house at Merz's Chicago warehouse.
• Smallflower Trading Co. Merz Apothecary's own private label soap brand, featured in men's grooming publications and sold alongside curated international products.
• Corporate Gifting Program Business gifting service offering curated selections of soaps, lotions, fragrances, candles, and personal care items for corporate clients seeking distinctive gifts.

Quantifiable outcome

• One of the world's 12 best boutiques (United Hemispheres Magazine)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• UnderbergminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2026Underberg team visits Merz Apothecary for a pop-up event featuring custom cocktails, free gifts, history sharing, and product tastings. Event includes RSVP gifts (Underberg Twin Tin) and purchase gifts (Underberg Playing Cards).
• Vilhelm ParfumerieminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 June 2026Vilhelm Parfumerie team joins Merz Apothecary for launch event of 'Dear Lord Eau De Parfum'. Includes meet & greet, personalized card wallet gift with purchase, champagne and light bites. Part of Father's Day shopping experience.
• Dr. Hauschka SkincareminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 May 2026Dr. Hauschka Skincare spring facial treatment event at Merz Apothecary. Includes consultations, cleansing, treatment and rehydration using natural skincare products. Free gifts with service and purchases, plus $15 off all products.
• Glasshouse FragrancesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 May 2026Mother's Day Market featuring Glasshouse Fragrances 'Radiance In Bloom Collection' inspired by orchids. Includes niche fragrance consultations, hair services from R+Co, fragrance engraving from Plume & Script, and chainstitch embroidery.
• Pearfat Parfum (Alie Kiral)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 April 2026Niche fragrance masterclass with Alie Kiral, founder & perfumer of Pearfat Parfum. $50 ticket applicable to purchase. Free 10ml fragrance with full-size purchase. Guided smelling tour and Q&A session.
• Maya NjieminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 March 2026Fragrance masterclass with Maya Njie exploring her nostalgic, contemporary collection reflecting Scandinavian and Gambian heritage. Ticket cost applicable to fragrance purchase.
• Arquiste & Bianco ProfumominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 March 2026Exclusive niche fragrance masterclass with Carlos Huber (Arquiste founder) and Nick Holmes (Bianco Profumo co-founder). Covers fragrance composition, scent development, and collections. $50 ticket applicable to purchase.
• D.S.&DURGAminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 October 2025Murder Mystery Fragrance Masterclass with Brandon Silva (US Sales Manager). Features DS&DURGA Murder Mystery Fragrance Layering Set, Halloween costume contest with $275 layering set prize, and free gifts with purchase.
• evanhealyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 October 2025Holistic facial event with Jamie Burkhalter of evanhealy. 30-minute appointment includes consultation and facial treatment. $15 off purchase with free gifts with purchase.
• XerjoffminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 September 2025Exclusive discovery session with fragrance expert Philip Gallardo. First look at Xerjoff hidden gems collection (White on White, Oesel, Red Hoba) launching at Merz. Refreshments and free gifts with purchase.
• Santa Maria NovellaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 September 2025First-ever fragrance masterclass with Santa Maria Novella exploring Firenze 1221 collection celebrating 800 years of apothecary knowledge. Includes fragrance composition, layering techniques, and free samples. Exclusive gift with $300+ purchase.
• Ormaie Paris (Baptiste Bouygues)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 June 2025Meet and greet with Baptiste Bouygues, founder of Ormaie Paris. Learn about Yvonne Extrait de Parfum featuring jasmine, plum and tonka notes. Free 2ml sample with any Ormaie Paris purchase.
• ChidoriyaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 June 2025Mini facials and skin consultations with Mariko Sato from Chidoriya (licensed esthetician). Japanese beauty products inspired by geisha and maiko rituals. $15 off purchase with free gifts.
• BDK Parfums Paris (David Benedek)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 May 2025Niche fragrance masterclass with David Benedek, founder & creative director. Reveals Impadia fragrance exploring rose from Madagascar to Bulgaria, Turkey to North Africa. $50 ticket applicable to purchase.
• KOBO CandlescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Merz Apothecary's first acquisition. KOBO Candles, a collection of elegant and eclectic home scents from upstate New York. Manufacturing and operations moved from New York to Merz's Chicago warehouse in summer 2022, becoming a private label brand.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ulta Beauty: Mass and prestige beauty retailer combining drugstore and high-end brands under one roof. Overlaps with Merz across fragrance, skincare, and men's grooming, particularly as Ulta expands its prestige and natural beauty assortment.
• Sephora: Largest multi-brand beauty specialty retailer in North America. Carries many of the same niche and prestige brands Merz curates (Byredo, Diptyque, etc.), creating head-to-head competition on the specialty beauty shelf even though Sephora operates at vastly greater scale.
• Kiehl's: Apothecary-heritage skincare brand (founded 1851, owned by L'Oréal) with standalone stores and a curated natural-leaning product line. Shares Merz's apothecary DNA and herbal/scientific positioning, but operates at global scale and is now a mass-prestige brand.

Direct peers

• Santa Maria Novella: Florentine apothecary founded in 1221 with a US retail presence focused on niche fragrance, herbal remedies, and luxury personal care. Comparable product mix and apothecary heritage; Merz even hosts Santa Maria Novella masterclasses, signaling direct overlap in niche fragrance curation.
• Space NK: UK-founded multi-brand specialty beauty retailer with US stores carrying curated international and niche skincare, fragrance, and makeup brands. Closest comparable in terms of curated niche assortment and experiential multi-brand merchandising.
• C.O. Bigelow Apothecary: Historic NYC apothecary (founded 1838) selling prescription drugs alongside curated beauty, personal care, and homeopathic remedies. Most direct US peer — a long-running family-style pharmacy that has combined dispensing with specialty retail and small-batch private label for nearly two centuries.
• Bluemercury: US specialty beauty and spa retailer (now owned by Macy's) carrying curated skincare, fragrance, and bath brands with a strong apothecary-style store experience. Comparable in combining niche beauty curation with on-site services and a heritage-driven store concept.

Emerging players

• Goop: Wellness and lifestyle brand with brick-and-mortar stores (Goop Lab) carrying curated clean beauty, fragrance, and wellness products. Overlaps with Merz on natural beauty, niche fragrance, and the wellness curation thesis, though Goop is brand-led rather than assortment-led.
• Credo Beauty: Clean and natural beauty specialty retailer focused on non-toxic, sustainable skincare, fragrance, and wellness brands. Direct overlap with Merz's natural wellness and clean beauty merchandising, though Credo operates at a larger store count.

Regional players

• The Brooklyn Apothecary: Independent Brooklyn-based apothecary-style retailer offering natural skincare, herbal remedies, and wellness products. Comparable independent specialty pharmacy model in a different US geography, illustrating the niche competitive set for Merz in the boutique health-and-wellness retail space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/merzapothecary
• YouTubeyoutube.com/smallflowertv
• Facebookfacebook.com/merzapothecary
• Instagraminstagram.com/merzapothecary

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Merz Apothecary