The concern was shared between Elke’s friends’ group as well, therefore their “joint frustration” ended up being what made Leodoro gain life. With the support of her daughter-in-law, Öznur Stucken, “an experienced fashion industry veteran”, they began “to bounce ideas back and forth until the initial vision gradually began to transform into something very real indeed.”

The Portugal News (TPN): Is there any specific reason for choosing to open the boutique in Almancil?

Elke Groos (EG): I moved to Almancil in 2022, so naturally I wanted to open the boutique close to where I live. I strongly believe that building a community is a lot easier if you are part of that community yourself. My son and his wife, Öznur also moved here last year.

TPN: How can you describe the shop?

Öznur Stucken (OS): A small and privately owned fashion boutique in the heart of Almancil, exclusively selling our own Leodoro Cashmere and elevated leisurewear products. We want it to feel like a little fashion oasis that offers a carefully curated shopping experience. The kind of warm place that makes you feel welcome and allows you to slow down and really look at the products on offer while enjoying a cup of coffee. Not just a point of sale, a point of inspiration.

TPN: What kind of clothes do you sell in Leodoro?

OS: Timelessly elegant clothes made from luxurious fabrics like Cashmere and silk that can be combined in many different ways. We also feature leisurewear pieces made from e.g. modal, an incredibly soft fabric. The majority of products on offer is aimed at sophisticated and style conscious female customers, but gentlemen can already enjoy a number of timeless and long-lasting Cashmere sweaters.

TPN: What can customers expect from the clothes’ quality?

EG: Of course, we aim to provide the best quality available to us, but that doesn’t mean one should wear clothes made from e.g. modal for a hike in the mountains. Our Cashmere sweaters are either made from 2-Ply Cashmere and/or from a Cashmere and mulberry silk blend and can be worn for many, many years if treated with care.

TPN: How would you describe the customers’ service in Leodoro?

EG: Since we aim to cultivate long-term relationships, the personal connection is very important to us. We want to assist and guide our customers, not force them into leaving the boutique with something they didn’t really want. Our small and exclusive collections continue to evolve as part of an organic development that requires our customers’ honest feedback.

TPN: How important is Leodoro’s team for the customers?

OS: Our human team consists of my mother-in-law, my husband, one additional store operator and myself….but (laughs) to some of our customers, Elke’s Australian cobber dog Leo is the star of the shop and in his own way, he is a great sales assistant.

EG: He is a very good boy and loves the attention he receives from our customers.

In actual fact, Leodoro was named after him, so no wonder he takes an active interest in what is happening in our boutique. We had been looking for a name that would be easy to remember and would phonetically remind us of leonine strength, elegance and the timeless beauty of gold.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client;

TPN: How would you describe the team that works in Leodoro?

OS: Highly motivated, helpful and with the ability to really listen to our customers’ feedback.

TPN: Christmas is coming. Why should clients visit Leodoro for Christmas shopping?

EG: We have beautiful Cashmere scarves and Cashmere slippers that would make perfect Christmas gifts, combining elegance with a luxurious softness. The quality of our products speaks for itself, and it is a nice additional touch that one cannot buy our products online but exclusively at our boutique in Almancil. They make for great and long-lasting souvenirs of a wonderful time spent at the Algarve.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client;

TPN: How do you see Leodoro in the future?

OS: We hope that more and more people in the Algarve’s golden triangle will discover us in the future and that we will become a household name for all those who care about style, quality and entrepreneurial spirit of a mother and daughter-in-law team.

TPN: When can people visit your shop?

EG: It’s of course important to know our general business hours, Wednesday to Saturday between 11am and 6pm, but it may be equally important to mention the possibility of scheduling an even more exclusive shop-on-demand time slot during Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.

Contacts:

shopondemand@leodoro.pt

+351 919 903 040

Instagram: leodoro_fashion

Website: www.leodoro.pt

Address:

Leodoro

Avenida José Santos Farias 135

8135-167, Almancil