Business & Tech

The ShOptimist: Little Red Boutique

During this holiday season, be a ShOptimist, and support local Bed-Stuy businesses

The holidays are here! And what better way to spend them than shopping?

Bed-Stuy Patch knows you're busy, so over the next few weeks, we will walk the neighborhood, visit some of our local small businesses and do the window shopping for you!

This week, we're featuring Little Red Boutique, located at 374 Lewis Avenue Avenue between Macon and MacDonough streets.

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Little Red Boutique is a women’s clothing and accessories store that sells high-end items at affordable prices. If you prefer department store merchandise from places such as Macy's or Bloomingdale's but dread the trek into Manhattan, look no further: Little Red Boutique brings luxe local!

Josie Ultarte-Almonte, owner of the Little Red Boutique, worked as a clothing and accessories buyer for 14 years before opening her store in Bed-Stuy seven years ago.

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She says the connections she made over the years with companies in Canada, Italy, France and around the country gave her the inspiration to open a small business doing what she loves while bringing high-end product to Bed-Stuy. 

From lamb-skin leather boots in a variety of colors, to stylish vegan handbags, to hand-crafted hats and jewelry, Josie's merchandise shares a trademark quality of products that are well-made, detailed, original and edgy.

"My customers are going to get pieces that are unique and that they definitely will not see on anyone else," said Josie. "All my customers, that's all they say when they come back in: 'I wore my stuff and got tons of compliments.'"

The atmosphere inside of Little Red Boutique is like walking into a zen palace, complete with tranquil music, Buddha statuettes and plenty of smell-goods.

Josie also sells natural, fragrant soaps, incenses, heated oils and candles-- perfect gift items for the holidays.

In fact, Josie, along with her friend Safiya Hassan, owner of N-Diya Beauty Boutique and Spa, launched in November "I Shop Bed Stuy," a shopping campaign, in conjunction with 12 Bed-Stuy small business, that encourages residents to shop local during the holidays.

Between now and December 25, participating stores -- including Little Red Boutique -- will offer 20 percent off select items and will gift wrap each item for free.

"And to me, that's priceless to have all of this packaged right here in Bed-Stuy," said Josie. "People need to come out and support these businesses; we're all waiting for you guys to come out and shop!"

Additionally, Little Red Boutique always has a 50 Percent Sales Rack chocked full of a variety of items that Josie rotates regularly. She also offers lay-away.

So during this holiday season, be a ShOptimist, stop through Little Red Boutique, and support local Bed-Stuy businesses.

Little Red Boutique is open Monday through Saturday, 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.


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