Blu Opens In Stonington Borough

A refreshing breeze of European chic, instant cool and effortless style wafted out of the door of Blu Boutique on a recent sweltering day.

The new women’s boutique at 145 Water Street is full of treasures from all over the world—Italian leather handbags made in New York by an Argentinean designer, art by a Block Island artist and clothing from lines like France’s American Vintage.

“The store will carry things I find on my travels,” said owner Deanna Dominguez.

Barely a week ago Dominguez opened the story and Saturday July 9 is the official grand opening. But the boutique and inspiration behind it were years in the making.

For the past ten years as she worked in retail in Ridgefield, Connecticut people asked Dominguez when she was going to open her own store. It was more than 20 years ago, however, during summer trips to borough that Dominguez feel in love with the area and a funky little boutique that was at .

“It was just time to open my own business,” Dominguez. “I always wanted to choose a place that I was passionate about—to come to the borough and add something to it.”

It was last year while living in Italy for three months that Dominguez finally decided to open the place. While in Italy she traveled to Capri and the island became the trigger to finally open her own store.

Dominguez called her boutique Blu as in the Italian word for blue for the waters around Capri, and for her and her husband Mike’s love of the beach and the water.

Described as a “chic women’s boutique,” Dominguez hopes the store will help women dress effortless.

“It’s important to dress well, but you don’t need a lot to do that with—maybe it’s a scarf or a bag,” Dominguez said. “I admire how Parisian women really know how to dress.”

The worldliness of the store is a reflection of Dominguez. Her Italian warmth radiates throughout the small space as talks to customers sharing both stories and tips about everything from travel and food to family to fashion.

Still Dominguez said she couldn’t open a store like this in a cosmopolitan city like New York. She doesn’t want to be just one in the masses.

“It’s very important to be me to be in place that is community orientated,” Dominguez said. “Stonington is very friendly, vey welcoming with well wishers and I’m hoping we all do well together.”

Blu
145 Water Street, Stonington, 06378
203-470-0760
Hours: Monday by appointment, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Grand Opening & Mara Carrizo Scalise Trunk Show

Saturday, July 9, 2011 is the official grand opening and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. the boutique will host a . The New York designer will have bags, belts and jewelry. Enjoy a glass of wine and design your own bag. For more information call 203-470-0760