Happy Friday everyone! You made it to the weekend! Today we are bringing you another installment of where we feature hot and trending businesses right here in Denton! On today’s Feature Friday we have a Denton classic, La Di Da boutique! Co-owners Brittany Foster and Sharon Ballard purchased La Di Da from original owner in June 2019, and have kept the same love and boutique vibe going strong! Featuring local brands, women owned businesses, and philanthropic companies products in their store, La Di Da stands with and for the community since 2005. With familiar boutique brands like Kut From The Kloth, and local brands like Team D favorite Salted Sanctuary Soaps! You’re bound to find just what you you need at La Di Da! We had a chance to sit down with Brittany to chat about all things Downtown Denton, the company why, and what the future holds for La Di Da Boutique!
When you buy from a small business, an actual person does a happy dance!
TD: When did you guys open?
B: The store itself opened in 2005, then we reopened in June of 2019 after we reconstructed after the December 2017 fire. The community was so supportive, even though the process was lengthy. It still took about a year and a half to rebuild and reopen.
TD: What inspired y’all to open in Denton?
B: Emily Wiest was the original owner who opened up the shop in 2005. She loved the vibe of Downtown Denton. She was scouting other downtowns, and ultimately ended up in Denton with the two collages she thought it was just perfect.
TD: How did Emily come up with the name?
B: It’s something her mother used to always say when they were out shopping. She would be rolling through racks and just say “Oh La Di Da!” So it really is to pay homage to her and her memory!
TD: If no one has come into La Di Da before, what makes you different than the other boutiques on the square?
B: We do our best to source everything locally. We strongly support women owned businesses and we try to facilitate a women to women commerce here in the store. Most all of our lines are designed, created, and operated fully by women.
TD: How do you pick what you have in the store?
B: With social media it’s easy, but it can also make it really hard to source the “right” product. When you look at it, we are different than a department store or other stores that call themselves “boutiques”, that aren’t necessarily boutiques. It’s all about how you curate the selection and find the store vision. There are some things that we have pulled in that we don’t make an arm and a leg from, but they really help push what La Di Da’s mission is. On the other hand there are brands we have brought in that have done really well. Then we have philanthropic brands and I know the people behind the business and I want to push their mission and help support them, even if we aren’t doing well. We have to give everyone a chance.
TD: What is La Di Da’s aesthetic?
B: We really aim for something for everyone. Whether it’s a little knick knack, a special gift for someone, or if you need something to wear that night. We have you covered. Especially if you have something in Denton, if you buy something here, you won’t see other people out on the town wearing it. That’s something I have always strived for. Especially after an experience I had in college when I bought this super cute jacket from target, then the first time I showed up to class for college, two other girls had the same jacket! And I felt awful! Some really try keep items limited. We only buy 6 of everything, unless something is extremely popular.
TD: What has been your favorite part of having a shop in Downtown Denton?
B: Definitely the community. Working with the other business owners through Main Street Association, and just the sense of community Denton has. I moved here to go to school and never left, my husband loves it here, we have a family here. I have a little girl so something that was important to me was showing her that you can be a mom, and a wife, and you can also get into business and get into commerce as a woman. It’s something I really want to show her.
TD: When it comes to curating the women owned brands, do you resonate with the philanthropic or missions of the brands?
B: The first brand that comes to mind is Salted Sanctuary Soaps. The first time I ever met Kim, it was at a farmers market and I was in need of bug spray for my daughter. But I couldn’t find a brand that I was comfortable putting on my 6 month-old. I asked Kim if she had anything and she introduced me to her products! It’s a chemical free brand and comfortable to put on kids, sensitive skin, really anyone can use it. It’s a holistic product that is natural and even made with things from her own garden. I really wanted to carry her product so bad, but she was in another store on the square, and we try not to carry the same thing as everyone else. Especially since it is a walking square, so we didn’t bring her in then. She reached out to us when she was changing stores and we said yes! We feel it brings such a lifestyle connection to the store.
TD: What does the future hold for La Di Da?
B: Well, we may be going mobile soon! But our fingers are crossed, especially with everything going on. Right now though, we are going to continue to source great product and keep our shelves stocked. One thing I do want to add though, is the mental health aspect of getting ready everyday. When we closed in April, I didn’t put a stick of make-up on, I was in sweats all the time, and I felt like my mental health just went down the drain. I think it’s so important just to take one day a week to get up, get dressed, put on makeup, and put on something that will make you feel amazing. Even if you don’t see other people! You’ll just be so much more productive and feel so much better!
TD: Where can people connect with you!
B: You can find us on instagram @ladidaboutiquedenton, or our website www.ladidaboutiquedenton.com! Feel free to come in any day we are open to shop, our hours are posted on our instagram!
Feature Fridays happening every Friday in August!
You guys already know how much of my heart lies with the small businesses of Denton. That’s why I am so excited to be sharing more details on the businesses right here in Denton! Today we talked all things women empowerment through commerce and we will be back next Friday with another exciting business that uses the help from tiny helpers to make their magical product! You won’t want to miss it!
But just in case you missed the other thing we did…
If you want to catch up on all things Denton, you’ll want to snag a copy of our Denton Guide that ha a complete list of Denton small businesses that you can support! It’s full of eats, drinks, shops, and more all compiled into one easy PDF! You’ll have Denton’s most complete small business directory at your finger tips. With links to everyone’s websites, addresses, and a one of a kind Downtown Denton Map, you’ll be living life like a local in no time! Be sure to tag photos of you using the guide with #DoItDenton to be reposted on our Facebook page!
