News Article | 12/1/2006

‘LFT’ off is Dec. 8 at Victory Park

A highly anticipated boutique department store called LFT is taking off at Victory Park on Dec. 8.

Ort Varona, president of LFT, said the 30,000-square-foot boutique will boast a collection of high-end designer brands, some of which are new to the Dallas market. The modern-slanted department store will offer 13 entrances.

New York-based modern furniture retailer Dune and clothier Chip & Pepper will have branded shops within LFT. Shoppers will be able to find unique items like the Segway, an electronic scooter that starts at about $4,500.

LFT also is partnering with local children’s daycare Kidztime on a 1,000-square-foot “playcare” center called Ourkidz, where parents can drop off children on an hourly basis to run errands or shop. The maximum capacity for the daycare is 40 children.

“We look at this as a general store … an early merchant that is on a modern level for (Victory Park),” Varona said.

Varona, who also owns boutiques Octane and Premium93 in the West Village, is partnering with several investors, including Fort Worth-based Hillwood Capital, on LFT. He declined to disclose start-up costs.