New Kayenta clothing store opens

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

KAYENTA — When a new store opens on the rez, it's something that community members take notice of, especially when the store carries items that can only be purchased in big cities.

Water Edge Company, a Navajo-owned business located in the Teeh'indh Shopping Center, just opened its doors to the small town on Wednesday, carrying contemporary clothing like Double D Ranch brand dresses, designer Western purses, and custom designer leather jackets.

"This is really nice," said Mary Cly, from Monument Valley, as she admired the new store and some of the items Thursday morning.

The shop is filled with racks of dressy, western style clothing, including an assortment of velveteen skirts, as well as accessory items, like beaded velvet scarves.

Owners Emerson and Deena Phillips own two other similar stores in Cortez and Durango. Before opening the store in Kayenta, they traveled to the local flea market each Wednesday and sold items from their two other stores. After encouragement by the community to open a store in the area, they decided to give it a try.

"They really like it," said Connie Phillips, manager, referring to community members who stopped by. "Everyone is telling me 'Welcome aboard!' "

Curious community members made their way through the store, admiring the detail in decoration and asking questions about what other items they plan to bring in.

"They say its something different here in town," said Phillips.

The store also carries items like Native American jewelry, contemporary jewelry, pottery, perfumes and lotions, NAC ties, and home accessories. While the store mainly carries women's clothing and accessories, it does carry some men's items like Pendelton vests and jackets. The owners plan to be have more men's items available in April.

Phillip said the items are purchased in Denver, where she and the owners hand pick what items they want in each store. While the store carries more items that Phillips said reflect a dressy, Santa Fe style, they plan to order more casual Western clothing.

"Here more people are into something more western," she said.

The store's grand opening is planned for sometime this week.