Shoetique Gets Makeover and a New Name: Ruthayn's

Shoetique on Katonah Avenue opened in 2007 selling the hottest shoes, footwear and pocketbooks. And business was booming. 

"It was a hit from the day we opened the store," said, Ruthayn Sgaglio who co-owns the boutique with her husband, John. "Women were buying three to seven pairs of shoes at a time, John would look at me like, 'You women are sick with the way you shop for shoes!'"

But then, the recession hit. And women weren't buying shoes like they were before. 

"Women don't buy shoes because they need them, it's because they want them," Ruthayn said. "Now women just go in their closet and they have ten pairs of black shoes, they don't need another pair."

The Sgaglio's, of Golden's Bridge, knew they had to make a choice about the future of their store. But instead of closing up shop, they took their expertise and decided to give their boutique a makeover. 

"Shoetique" became "Ruthayn's," and with it expanded their merchandise to include clothing, outerwear, underwear, accessories, gifts and the product that started it all, shoes.

"We decided to transition into clothing," Ruthayn said. "So we thought, maybe we should change the name so people know we have other stuff besides shoes." 

New lines the store carries include 525 America clothing, Rainforest coats, beaded belts by Erik & Mike, the Invisibelt, Big Buddha handbags and Cut-Loose casual wear.

The name change happened about two weeks ago, although Ruthayn's still faces about four weeks of a transition ahead to full merchandise capacity. 

Ruthayn enjoys picking out the things that she sells in her store, a task she says is much more fun than her second profession as a court reporter. Her husband, John, is responsible for picking out the handbags the boutique carries. 

"It's weird, but he's got an eye for it," she said. "He's pretty good, he'll find a line and it sells." 

Tastes in handbags aside, John brings tremendous local business experience to the table. He founded Sgaglio's Market in 1975 and retired in 2001, handing the market down to his son Michael. Some years ago, Ruthayn had a lingerie shop on Katonah Avenue.

"We're pretty embedded in the town," Ruthayn said, of the 35 years of family retail experience in Katonah.

As the store moves forward with the transition, the Sgaglio's hopes the unique merchandise offered will fill a need in the town. 

"I think we're going to do well, with the clothing it's going to be a big plus," John said. 

"We have a good price point, the clothing we offer are for the women around here- comfortable, easy clothing," Ruthayn said. "I'm also looking to find something that nobody else has."