If there is such a thing as fate, then Krissy Heinz and Lisa Ovadia were always destined to meet.
Not only did they grow up in Bay Area homes less than 15 minutes from each other without even knowing, but they also share the same zodiac sign, which means a lot to the two 25-year-olds, who religiously read their horoscopes.
Therefore, it’s no wonder that the two, who also share an apartment in Little Italy, would together stumble into their five-year dream of owning a boutique ” and even receive validation from the stars.
“We always checked our horoscopes through the whole process and they were so confirming,” Heinz said of the last three months of work that she and Ovadia have put into the cozy, Parisian-style brick building set back from La Jolla Boulevard, which they purposefully dubbed “Capricorn.”
Attaining their dream at such a young age, they pointed out, may be due to their strong drive and ambition ” which also happens to be their sun sign’s most prominent trait. But regardless of the reasons, the friends said they are excited to show off their new space at its official grand opening on Saturday, March 10.
“If there’s a textbook on how to start your own business, we started at the very end and worked our way back,” Heinz said from an oversized antique chair at the back of the shop last weekend. “We hit a lot of walls, but it all worked out and it’s been worth it.”
The shop will have a live DJ and offer champagne and light hors d’oeuvres by a local catering company from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, and community members are invited to stop by anytime, Heinz and Ovadia emphasized.
Once inside, black-and-white checkered floors lead customers past a deep, aqua-blue wall and painted wooden closets that hold everything from French Dessous lingerie to bath foam and greeting cards by London’s Wickle.
Exotic potted plants adorn a dark mahogany hutch and rest on the brick fireplace mantel, and white wooden dressing-room frames are embellished with gathered black-and-white curtains.
“We felt like the space really chose us,” Ovadia said, explaining that she and Heinz had envisioned a place very similar to what they found. “We tried to find things that aren’t saturated “” that you can’t find online or at other boutiques. We want to make it more of the old-fashioned idea of a boutique, where you can find something special.”
Ovadia and Heinz dedicated innumerous hours to perfecting the space, ordering only one size of each piece of clothing to reassure shoppers that they won’t be caught in the same outfit as another person.
Because they each have five years of experience working in boutiques in La Jolla, Solana Beach and Little Italy, the two know exactly what their customers are seeking.
Building off client lists that the two had compiled while working at other shops, the friends have drawn ideas from previous interactions with San Diego fashionistas and hope to continue that learning experience at their new spot.
“We noticed that at other boutiques they hire staff and decorators, but we wanted to do this ourselves,” Heinz said.
“We want to work with customers and see their reactions,” Ovadia added. “It’s nice to hear their feedback and get a feel for what they like and don’t like.”
Their main goal: to provide something for everyone. A men’s clothing line, although limited, is stocked with the sophisticated yet casual WeSC jeans and Le Magnifique T-shirts.
For women, the shop offers funky and edgy Alex and Chloe jewelry, which includes necklaces with spin-off Chanel “C’s” and large, mirrored Kate Moss charms. Candles and other home décor accessories by Jonathan Adler and clothing by Prairie Underground are scattered throughout the shop.
Although much thought was put into clothing selection, even more time was spent on the details of Capricorn’s atmosphere, the women said.
In fact, many people wandered into Capricorn during the first few weeks it was open and witnessed Heinz and Ovadia painting the walls and shelves themselves, they said. Scouring antique and other vintage shops, the two picked up old lamps and chairs and a friend helped them apply black-and-white forest print wallpaper “” the last roll of an unusual pattern, Ovadia said.
“It feels like you’re not in San Diego “” almost like you’re in Paris or underground or something,” she said, explaining that the most surreal experience is being in the shop at night.
That’s part of the reason the two decided to hold the grand opening at night, they said. They also wanted to make the event accessible to working parents and children and provide a welcoming atmosphere for all ages.
Not to mention, the women couldn’t resist playing on the symbolism of “an official night of shopping ‘under the stars,'” Ovadia said, pointing to a cluster of half a dozen small celestial bodies the two painted on a ceiling corner.
With all their connections and the increasing amount of time spent together at the shop, Ovadia and Heinz said they have grown even closer and often feel like they know each other better than they know themselves.
But what is most apparent as they glide around the shop admiring its contents is that the two share a passion for their new business that, for them, will never grow old.
“This is the best thing we’ve ever done and ” ” Heinz said, trailing and off and looking to Ovadia to finish her sentence.
“And it’s for sure,” Ovadia said, “the most important thing in our lives.”
Capricorn Boutique is located at 5544 La Jolla Blvd., Suite B. For more information, call (858) 551-2660.