Nicole Manriquez is the manager and buyer for the Striped Cow, a new shop in Downtown Lawrence.

When Nicole Manriquez thought about a name for her new downtown store, “Eclectic Magnificent Unique Unicorn” came to mind. In other words a shop full of items unique even by unicorn standards. But it would take an awful big window to house that sign, so she and the owners came up with an alternative: Striped Cow. (They too are fairly unique animals, unless your neighbor’s zebra gets in the pasture again.)

The Striped Cow opened at 835 Massachusetts St. — the former home of 10,000 Villages — a few weeks ago. The shop certainly is eclectic. There is handmade jewelry in one corner of the store, purses in another, body lotions, bath salts, soaps and other such items spread throughout, a few vases here and there, some stationery, and then there are the candles. There are enough candles in the store to give a fire marshal nightmares, and they have names that can make a fellow feel unsophisticated. A Goji Tarocco Orange candle? Is that a particularly rare type of orange? Is that why orange juice costs so much at a restaurant? I don’t know, but you could entertain yourself just reading candle names at the Striped Cow.

Manriquez, who is the manager and the buyer for the store, said part of the shop’s philosophy is to surprise you. That becomes more apparent when you go to the backroom of the store. There’s a man there with a straight-blade razor, and that’s a good thing.

The back room houses a barber shop that specializes in hot shaves. Dan Fitzpatrick has been a downtown barber for years, but he is one of the few providing hot shaves. If you have ever stuck your can of shaving cream in the microwave to warm it up, you’ll understand why hot shaves aren’t that common.

If you are unfamiliar with the process, a hot shave involves warm towels being applied to your face, shaving cream that has been warmed and brought to a lather, the use of a straight-blade razor and the application of fine after-shave lotions to soothe your skin.

Fitzpatrick, who also provides haircuts and other barber services, charges $20 for a hot shave, which is done by appointment. He said the service has been well received.

“It makes it a more enjoyable experience instead of just taking care of a necessity,” he said.

The back room also may attract some male shoppers. In addition to the barber services, the back room also sells a collection of pocket knives and other such items.

Downtown leaders are always happy when another retailer adds to the mix of offerings, but this one may generate some additional excitement because a longtime downtown retailer is behind the shop. The owners of the Third Planet own the Striped Cow. Manriquez was a manager and buyer at Third Planet, which is an eclectic place in its own right. The two stores, though, have different vibes.

Thus far, Manriquez said she’s pleased with the reception the shop has received.

“I think people are picking up on the energy that is inside the store,” Manriquez said. “We try to make solid human connections with our customers, and we try to have a little something for everybody.”