This article is part of our Mother’s Day series highlighting moms and daughters in business up and down Boerne’s Main Street.
Some businesses are opened. Others are lived into over time.
Nature’s Presence is one of those stories.
Located at 807 N Main Street, the store has been a cornerstone of wellness in Boerne since it first opened in 2005. But for Mary Lira, the connection to this place began long before she ever owned it.
In 2007, Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer. During her treatment, she began incorporating natural supplements alongside her conventional care, working closely with her doctor and learning a completely new side of wellness.
That journey led her straight to Nature’s Presence.
It was there that she not only found products that supported her recovery, but also built a meaningful relationship with the store’s original owner, Dawn Marie Lake. What started as a place to shop quickly became something much more personal.
Over the years, Mary’s health was restored, and the Lira family became regulars. The store remained part of their lives even as ownership changed hands, first to Paula and Ronnie Lyon, who continued its legacy in the community.
Then in 2021, everything came full circle.
When the Lyons made the decision to move closer to family, they asked Lance Lira, who is a licensed real estate agent, to help with the transition. Somewhere in that process, a bigger opportunity emerged.
By March of 2022, Mary and Lance had officially taken ownership of Nature’s Presence.
Today, the store has evolved into more than just a supplement shop. Along with a wide range of vitamins and wellness products, you’ll now find natural groceries, clean pantry staples, frozen foods, and everyday essentials. All carefully selected to meet high standards.
But what hasn’t changed is the heart behind it.
Customers still walk in and have real conversations. They ask questions. They get guidance. And they leave feeling like someone actually took the time to help.
And like many of the businesses along Main Street, it’s truly a family operation.
Mary’s daughter Leah has stepped into the picture as well, working as an assistant bookkeeper alongside Linda Schmeltzer, and also has spent time helping her mom on the floor. A Boerne High School graduate, she’s now at UTSA studying business and performing in the Spirit of San Antonio marching band, balancing college life while staying connected to the family business.
It’s that balance of past and future that makes places like this so special.
For Mary, what started as one of the hardest seasons of her life eventually led to something lasting—not just for her family, but for the entire community.
Nature’s Presence isn’t just a business on Main Street. It’s a full-circle story built on resilience, relationships, and a commitment to helping others on their own wellness journeys.