A new women’s clothing boutique has opened on West Broadway from a longtime stylist and retailer who’s taken the former Felix space just south of Duane. And it’s a great addition to the neighborhood. It’s one of those stores where you’ll go in for a gift and leave with a couple things for yourself.

Suzette LaValle has had a long career in the fashion industry, starting out as a buyer for Visio on the Upper West Side, then Institute in Soho then as a stylist at Neiman Marcus and later for Surface, Interview, Brooks Brothers, Macy’s — the list goes on. She opened an eponymous store in Crown Heights in 2015, then headed east in 2019, opening Hummingbird in both Sea Cliff and Oyster Bay on Long Island. (The latter is my hometown, and by coincidence my cousins were big fans of the store.)

“I like an edge to classic looks. And it has to be fun,” Suzette said. “And I’m crazy about fabrics. I’ve been doing this for 35 years. I know what good fabric is, how things are made, how they will last. I can see it right away.”

“Plus I want elegance at a certain price point — it’s just the way I think. You shouldn’t have to spend a fortune.”

Suzette said she wanted to be in the fashion biz starting at age 10 and loved her work as a stylist — “You create fantasies.” But she finds retail fun, and loves dressing people and helping them create a look. “With buying and retail you have to create reality, otherwise you have a gallery.” She also said she doesn’t like to push. “I want my customers to be happy when they walk out of the store.”

When I stopped by just before the winter holidays (she opened Dec. 18, just as folks were headed out) she had already sold out of some fab bags made from printed skins. There was a nubby sweater for $119, a great all-wool wrap coat for $279, a sequined shift for $157. She has a lot with her own label, but also carries Alashan cashmere, select jewelry makers and other favorite brands.

Tribeca wasn’t the obvious choice — she looked for six months, covering Soho, Nolita, Nomad, Williamsburg, Carroll Gardens, the Upper East and Upper West. But there was a old Tribeca bonus that came with this location: Calypso was one of her favorite stores. And she picked the new name for their “new beginning” meanings. “They have significant importance to my new endeavor,” Suzette said.

Willow & Zoey
123 West Broadway | Duane & Reade
Monday- Friday 11:30a to 6:30p
Saturday and Sunday 11a to 6p