January 29, 2007

Rue the Day

Rue Boutique Opens

You used to take the road less traveled. Until it led to a bedbug-infested hostel. (And a god-awful bout with Montezuma’s revenge.) Now you’re a little more cautious.

Unless you’re shopping — you always venture off that beaten path.

So find your way to Rue, a new, sweetly sophisticated Stewart Street boutique. Owner Michelle Kim moved back from NYC determined to bring a slice of SoHo along, in the form of baby doll dresses and cocktail gowns from Yumi Kim, Lewis Cho, Amanda Uprichard, and Karen Zambos.

But Kim is a Northwesterner at heart, so Rue also stocks practical layers from Free People and Bobi — and has a second floor chock-full of affordable vintage finds.

The chic shop’s just far enough from downtown’s retail core to stay secret. At least for now. So don’t spread the word too loudly.

You’d hate to regret it down the road.

Rue, 611 Stewart Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues (206-264-0788).