Design services are Kate & Leo's hallmark
Staff -- Kids Today, 8/1/2006
Patricia Kahane is an interior designer by trade, and for more than 20 years she ran a design studio in New York. In 2003 she opened Kate & Leo, a children's boutique on the Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, Fla.
The 1,500-square-foot store carries everything from cribs ($550–$1,400), twin beds ($1,600) and custom layettes Kahane designs and has made in South America to accessories, clothing, wall décor and more. Shoppers can take advantage of Kahane's interior design services or simply shop for gifts, clothing and furniture.
The Miami store has been so successful (sales are up 20% over last year) that Kahane opened a Greenwich, Conn., store in 2004. Combined annual sales for both stores are more than $1 million, with the Miami store leading in sales. About 80% of the business comes from design jobs.
Kate & Leo features vendors like Stanley's Young America, ducduc, Oeuf, Nurseryworks, Kaloo, Dr. Brown and more, and Kahane shops international shows in Cologne, Paris and Spain as well as U.S. markets to ensure her product mix is fresh.
"I travel a lot, so I might find bedding in Holland or a crib in France," Kahane said. "Our custom bedding also distinguishes us from other stores ... (as does) our full-service design work."
Kahane said the store has the illusion of being expensive, but she carries all price points; her goal is to be sophisticated but accessible. She stays competitive in pricing by keeping tabs on Internet sellers and is selling online through her own site, www.kateandleo.com.
The Miami Kate & Leo shopper differs from the Greenwich shopper. Miami has more Latino moms, but they're also younger — "she's not SoHo but she's modern" as Kahane said.
These moms like their children's rooms soft and cute, but not necessarily traditional or fussy; they're looking for clean, crisp looks.
Kate & Leo offers signature gift wrap, which further brands the store, and word-of-mouth is Kahane's best source of advertising.
"The most enjoyable part of my job is when moms come in with their babies," Kahane said. "Sometimes it's a challenge to meet the deadlines of designing nurseries for the babies who come ahead of time, but it's always a thrill to finally meet them."
Kahane's advice to other retailers is to concentrate on service.
"Service is the most important thing," she said. "Product taste is subjective but personal service truly sets you apart; you are the only person who has the power to improve it."
One nook in the store features a variety of colorful apparel.
Plush and soft toys are merchandised in a pretty basket.
