The newest boutique in Key West offers more than a simple transaction. Kirby’s Closet is a unique and enjoyable shopping experience. From the moment one enters the resale boutique at 218 Whitehead St., everything just feels right.
“There’s nothing worse than walking into a store and feeling unwelcome or intimidated,” said owner Kirby Myers, who opened Kirby’s Closet on July 20 to fill a void in the island’s shopping options. Kirby’s Closet is packed with carefully chosen, like-new clothing and accessories at prices that make upscale brands accessible to hard-working shoppers.
There are no model-thin mean girls on the sales floor, rolling their eyes and scrolling their phones. The sizes don’t stop at 6 and there are as many colors and patterns as solid blacks, whites, navy and denim. Waiting among the wooden hangers is a new favorite garment; a perfect fit.
“Unlike traditional consignment shops, I pay cash up front for pre-loved items, which enables me to be more selective with my inventory,” Myers said. “There are plenty of designer labels, like Kate Spade and so many others, but there’s also a barely worn Express tank top for $8. There’s really something for everyone, in every style and for every budget, and nothing in here looks like used clothing.”
Kirby’s Closet does carry one line of brand new, handmade kimonos with designs chosen specifically by Myers and made of super-soft material in bold and subdued patterns.
“These are simply amazing, and so versatile,” Myers said. “You can wear them over a tank top with jeans; over a little black dress, as a lounging robe or a gorgeous beach cover up.”
And Myers is the consummate hostess with an eye for fashion, accessories and friendly suggestions. While getting to know her customers, she walks casually around the store grabbing items, offering suggestions and assembling potential outfits.
“I really want people to enjoy being here; to spend as long as they want, trying things on, playing dress-up and then adding accessories, shoes and handbags.”
She has a couch, fruit-infused ice water — and her 16 years working in radio means there’s plenty of good music. But there’s more to Kirby’s Closet than a quick stop-in and try-on.
“I’ve also been hosting private parties for small groups of eight to 12 women at a time,” she said. “They reserve an evening after the store closes, from 5 to 7 or 6 to 8 p.m., or a Saturday morning brunch from 10 a.m. to noon, before we open. The ladies come in, enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and beverages and have the run of the store, assembling outfits, bringing items into the fitting rooms for each other, and adding shoes, jewelry and scarves while just enjoying being together and thinking of something other than the virus in these troubling times.”
The parties came together when Myers realized she was launching a new business amid a pandemic and had to get creative.
“When I signed my lease in February, there were thousands of people walking around downtown, getting off cruise ships a few hundred yards away and living their normal lives,” she said. “Of course that all changed in mid-March and I had to get crafty. The party idea was born once people started cultivating their own close, “quarantine groups” in which they felt comfortable.
“I’ve done one to three shopping parties a week since opening, and I’ve loved each one, watching these women take a deep breath, relax with a drink, food, friends — and, yes, clothes,” Myers said. “I know I’ve had as much fun as they have. We’ve done a bachelorette group, two birthdays and a ‘just because it’s Tuesday’ party. And ladies are loving the ‘Insta wall’ here at the Closet for the requisite photo sessions.”
From the start, Myers understood the power of social media to make or break her business. Kirby’s Closet popped on Instagram long before the store opened, as Myers posted sneak previews of exciting finds.
Word-of-mouth marketing — getting other people to talk about your business or product — is undeniably effective, but only if they’re saying the right things.
Recently, Myers enlisted the services of Key West photographer and social media consultant Karrie Porter Bond. She specializes in photography and branding for small businesses, creating eye-catching — and share worthy — content for social media pages, websites and print ads.
“I would consider myself a progressive entrepreneur and I’ve always understood the significance and reach of social media,” said Myers. “From day one, I integrated the fun themes and stylish vibes of the store around several social media platforms. I recently added Karrie’s images into the mix and I could not be more pleased.”
Their efforts are paying off and plenty of people are saying great things.
Myers is still finalizing her regular store hours, and posts them weekly on her social media pages. Find Kirby’s Closet @kirbysclosetkw on Instagram and Facebook, call 305- 847-9977, or better yet, just stop in at 218 Whitehead St. — and discover the perfect fit. (Kirby Myers’ husband, Britt, publishes the Key West Weekly.)
