New Canaan's Fifth Cosmetics Store: Merle Norman

Merle Norman is set to join the likes of Space NK, Benefit Cosmetics, Cosmetics Boutique, and Bluemercury in the coming week. 

That brings the number of cosmetics boutiques up to five - a number that has not gone unnoticed by residents.

However, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tucker Murphy pointed out that, while five is a somewhat high number for such a small area, each store has its own niche and caters to different groups. 

" is high-end, it's big and covers everything;  appeals to maybe a younger crowd, it's very energetic and has its own line; has more than just beauty products, they've taken the office upstairs for procedural activity; , the owner is British and she has her own following," said Murphy. 

Murphy said she's glad to see the options here in town, giving residents access to all the products they want without having to leave town to get them. 

"Women become very committed to a brand and they'll leave to go to a mall or a department store to get what they want, and once we've lost them, they're gone," said Murphy. 

Is five stores too many?