The local needlepoint community is set to get another essential hub, as Atelier Dauphine is preparing to open its doors in East Riverside at 3506 Magazine Street. The full-service shop will offer supplies, finishing services, and spaces for stitchers to work on their projects. The shop is slated to open near the end of October.
Owner Shyla Clark, a software engineer who moved to New Orleans from Washington State to pursue her degree, has turned her pandemic-era needlepoint work into a side hustle, and soon, a full-fledged business. Recognizing a gap in the local market, Clark seized the opportunity when a space opened up in the building owned by a personal contact.
“The needlepoint community has really gelled in the last couple of years due to some Instagram-based clubs, and that is really neat to see because when I first started, I didn’t really know how to find other needlepointers,” Clark told What Now New Orleans.
Atelier Dauphine aims to bridge the gap between digital hobbyist spaces and in-person connection. The shop is designed as a full-service experience where guests can purchase canvases and threads, receive expert instruction on complex stitches, and bring finished pieces back for professional finishing.
Clark said approachability will be a primary focus, as the shop will cater to everyone from children to seasoned stitchers.
“I started out with the more affordable fibers, the more affordable threads,” she said. “So, I have no, I bias against them and I don’t want anyone to come in hoping to buy something and feeling like everything is out of their price range,” Clark said.
Beyond supplies, the shop is emphasizing community engagement. Plans include a large communal table for stitching sessions, local pickup options, and gift components alongside an espresso machine. Shoppers looking to unwind will also be able to take advantage of neighboring amenities.
“We have Really Really Nice Wines next door, and there’s a courtyard in the back of the my building,” she said. “So, there is definitely room for that kind of socializing.”
