Kieu’s (pronounced “Q’s”), a Lawrence-based boutique that features clothes, shoes and accessories, will have its grand opening in Manhattan on Friday. The family-owned store, located at 431 Poyntz Ave., is aimed at high-school and college-age women.
With the slogan “Girls love to be spoiled,” customers can expect to find anything and everything feminine at the new boutique. Boho dresses and hobo bags; oversized sunglasses and layered tanks; flats, pumps and even fingernail polish will all be offered at prices comparable to similar stores in Aggieville.
“We used the slogan in Lawrence and it stuck because it’s true,” said Thao Nguyen, who owns the store with her sister, Thuy Nguyen. “Clothes are a girl’s best friend. Well, actually diamonds are, but …”
Thao said Kieu’s was voted “best women’s clothing shop” four of the first five years it was open in Lawrence by The University Daily Kansan, the University of Kansas student newspaper.
“We were getting a lot of girls coming in from K-State looking for cute clothes, so we thought that Manhattan was a good place to start a second store,” Thao said.
Clothing and accessories for school, work, prom and girls’ nights out decorate the store’s bare white walls, which are practically translucent behind the clothes’ trendy, seasonal colors. There are six dressing rooms outfitted with gigantic mirrors and curtains that act as doors just begging to be thrown aside by hopeful customers.
Though Kieu’s will be competing with other area clothing stores catering to young women, the sisters said they have already talked to neighbors and other residents who have stopped by the store to welcome them to Manhattan. They also said they look forward to greeting and helping customers in their new town.
“We have anything girls would need,” Thao said.