South Boston’s Ku De Ta reopened recently with nary a hiccup after a fire in May forced the women’s clothing and accessories boutique to shut its doors.
“It did do a bit of damage to the building itself, but the logistics of it all was really what had us shut down for so long,” says General Manager Heather O’Connell of the alleyway blaze.
Ku De Ta’s smoky merchandise was sent to a treatment facility before the store discounted the goods for a fire sale. Meanwhile, the fire gave Ku De Ta the opportunity to completely revamp their interior.
“We glammed it up a little,” O’Connell says. “We darkened the wood color of the floors and of the wooden fixtures we have around the store, and we added some chandeliers. … It just feels really girly and warm now.”
Also new are the mannequins perched on translucent platforms, beckoning customers with designs by Aryn K, Fumblin Foe and William Rast.
Designer duds may not be the first things that come to mind when talking about South Boston, but according to O’Connell, Ku De Ta has a loyal customer base of young professionals who quickly brought business back to normal after the fire.
“There’s been such a turnover in the demographic of people here over the last 10 years” she says. “There are new restaurants, new bars. South Boston has really changed, and people don’t want to have to go downtown to eat at a good place. The same goes for shopping.”
Girl’s Night Out
Gather 10 girlfriends for a night, and Ku De Ta will stay open from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. to throw a private party for you and guests. Enjoy 20 percent off all merchandise in the store, plus free wine and hors d’oeuvres. For inquiries, e-mail kudetaboston@hotmail.com.
