Poor Old City has practically had a revolving door for boutiques over the last several years. The shops come in, all doe-eyed and romantic, wooing the neighborhood and its shoppers into a false sense of style security. Some, like Smak Parlour, have stayed strong, holding our hands and providing a reliable dose of local retail therapy. Others, sadly, have chomped the proverbial dust. (We still pour our cocktails on the curb for Topstitch.)

We're keeping our fingers crossed for our latest crush, Kaleidoscope. It's a good omen that the neighborhood's newest destination for wild party dresses and cute accessories took over the sprawling location that was formerly Matthew Izzo. We're also impressed to hear they're hiring interns and a team of sales associates — a promising sign in this crapola economy.

What you'll find here is standard Old City fashion fare: designer dresses, like those by Brian Lichtenberg, that'll run you $400; edgier outfits from e.vil, a brand we're gaga over; and young-at-heart handmade jewelry from Tarina Tarantino. The ambitious boutique also intends to stay involved in the community, with a blog and monthly trunk shows featuring fresh, local design talent. The current show features hair pieces by the New-Orleans-jazz-and-pinup inspired Jessica Saint, who crafts adorable hair pieces out of everything from recycled clothing and reclaimed headbands to vintage beads and buttons. You might say it's the honeymoon phase, but we've got a feeling Kaleidoscope'll keep us swooning long after the newness wears off. 151 N. Third St., 267-519-2587, kaleidoscopeboutique.com.

(julia.west@citypaper.net)