Genesis 2.9 owner Lenora Cooper hopes the store is able to help local residents receive safe-to-use, organic skin-care products for those with sensitive skin or anyone hoping to try a more natural approach to skin care. Photo by Ben Hensley

The complete revival of the Warnors Complex at the corners of Tuolumne and Fulton streets in Downtown Fresno took another step forward Friday, with the southeast side of the complex fully leased with shops selling everything from coffee to homemade clothing.

Located at 2021 Tuolumne St., Genesis 2.9 celebrated its grand opening Friday, bringing homemade skin-care products and home decor and furnishing to Downtown Fresno.

Store owner Lenora Cooper hopes the store is able to help local residents receive safe-to-use, organic skin-care products for those with sensitive skin or anyone hoping to try a more natural approach to skin care.

Cooper, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, was unable to use a majority of skin-care treatments during her chemotherapy and treatment due to her sensitive skin. She began using homemade skin products to ease the side effects of the treatments.

In 2017, Cooper’s cancer was in full remission, but she wanted to help others who could benefit from the use of all-natural, plant-based skin care products.

“I hand craft it myself, and it’s all full-spectrum,” she said.

Full-spectrum, plant-based products make use of the whole plant, according to Cooper.

“The whole plant — you just throw it in there,” she said. “Make sure it’s organic and then throw it in.”

Cooper says the store name is influenced heavily by her faith. In the Bible, Genesis 2.9 reads: “The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground–trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

Cooper’s mother, a former Fresno Unified School District educator, now 99, owned several houses and as a child, Cooper developed skin conditions related to irritants in the paint used. As a result, Cooper and her mother began to grow lavender, chamomile, tumeric and other health-based plants that were used in skin-care products.

“I hand craft them myself,” she said. “I know a lot about skin because of my skin care journey; I also was a Clinique girl for five years.”

Cooper said that her recovery has been fantastic.

For the past five years, Cooper has participated in pop-ups and street events such as ArtHop, as well as programs put on by the Art of Life Cancer Foundation and other outdoor events.

Cooper, who was happy doing pop-up events having previously owned a location on Blackstone and Shields avenues, fell in love with the Warnors Center space. It brought to mind memories of Fulton Street during her childhood when she would visit nearby stores like Woolworth, JCPenny and Gottshalk’s.

“Seeing this Warnors corner — the light went on,” Cooper said. “It would be beautiful to set up shop downtown and promote skin care and loving the skin that you’re in.”

In addition to skin-care products, Genesis 2.9 also sells home decor items ranging from tabletop display items to doors and tables – many of which are handcrafted. The store also offers a selection of earrings and other homemade jewelry accessories.