D Torr a Hometown Dream Come True

Madison residents have a new destination for women's clothes: 36 Main St., new home of D Torr.

"It's not the stuff you see in the mall," said owner Danielle Torrani. "It's a little more personal."

D Torr stocks women's clothing and accessories, and carries brands like Soda Shoes, Classique and Staccato. No two trips to D Torr are quite the same, since Torrani rotates stock weekly or bi-weekly, so new items are always on display.

"It's great, there's so much to look at," said customer Shira Rost of Summit. "I love all the accessories."

Torrani, a graduate of Madison High School class of 2004, said she's always wanted to open a clothing store. A year in corporate marketing made her realize a nine-to-five was not for her, so she decided to open a boutique where she grew up.

"I love shopping, I love clothes, and I've always wanted to own a clothing store," said Torrani. "So I figured I'm young, I'll do it now before I think back and wonder, 'What if?'"

That passion makes it easy for the lifelong Madison resident to come to work each day. She smiles when she says the hardest part about owning a boutique is not being able to fill her own closet with the clothes from the store. As owner and sole employee, Torrani is responsible for every aspect of running her business, from choosing stock at design shows in New York (her first show was "awesome, but overwhelming") to doing the taxes. Torrani loves being her own boss, but says the responsibility is intimidating.

Torrani was determined to be open in time for the holidays, so in a whirlwind four weeks characterized by "having no life," Torrani picked out the store front, painted, built dressing rooms, brought in clothes racks, bought her inventory, and opened for business on Dec. 12.

"It was great, opening for Christmas," Torrani said. "Got a lot of exposure, got the holiday crowd."

Torrani had a few places for D Torr in mind, but the choice was easy when she found a spot in Madison.

"It's the perfect little town, and I'm so glad more new businesses are opening," she said. "The community works well together and everyone supports each other."

Everyone, like the ladies at Zion Hair Salon, who customer Rost said recommended she stop by D Torr, or Torrani's own parents, owners of Madison Auto Body on Kings Road. It's people like that who make Torrani glad she chose to come back to her home town.

"I love Madison," she said. "I grew up here, went away to school and came back, and hope to be here forever."