It’s been about a year and a half since Denise Kersting’s children’s boutique, Diamonds and Dimples, was in Fort Thomas, but now the business is back and will reopen officially on Friday, May 6.
Kersting said she is excited to be back and in her old space within the Highland Plaza.
“I just loved my little space here in the plaza, but then Covid came along and I had some major knee surgeries,” she said.
Jumping at an opening to return
An opportunity opened up that allowed the business to continue, but didn’t require her to be there for store hours, and so, she took it. The situation didn’t work out as planned. She looked again for a store and found a location in Alexandria.
“I moved to Alexandria about eight months ago, but then this opening came up, and I thought ‘I’m going to take it while I can,’ because I loved it here,” Kersting said.
Kersting said she is excited to be her own boss again and interact directly with her customers.
“I missed that part of boutique ownership. So, now I’m back and working, and I’m looking forward to it,” she added.
Before the shut down, Kersting had been in Highland Plaza since 2017. After retiring from a corporate job in 2015, she opened her boutique first in Bellevue but quickly needed more space and moved to Fort Thomas in 2017.
Finding a new calling
With a degree in fashion merchandising from Xavier University and some experience selling children’s clothing on the side through the home party company Kelly Kids, Kersting found a new calling. With grandkids on the way, opening a children’s clothing boutique seemed a perfect fit.
“I wanted something fun to do, and that’s when I opened the boutique. And, it’s been fun ever since,” she said. “I love doing it, love meeting new people and love finding fun clothing for kids.”
Diamonds and Dimples specializes in the little ones, sizes newborn through size 6 for girls and size 5 for boys. With four grandchildren, ages 7, 4 and two 2-year-olds, she has readily available models as well.
Starting a new chapter
Kersting noted the building has undergone some improvements since she was last here, and she was pleased to announce a big change for her business as well. Starting in June, she will be sharing some of her space with a local baby and child photographer, Erin Faber.
The arrangement promises to be a great symbiotic relationship, she said. “She’ll have her studio in the backroom. She’ll have customers who will come in and see my stuff, and I’ll have customers who will come in and see she’s a baby photographer.”
For her customers old and new, Kersting had this to say: “I’m happy to be back, excited to work again and see all my customers. I can’t wait to see everybody. Come in and support small business. I have a lot of fun things planned!”
Diamonds and Dimples is located in Highland Plaza, 654 Highland Plaze (Unit 19).