Kayla and Matt DeVito
Finding Kinship in the Midst
story by ROBIN COKER photos by PAUL NURNBERG
If you were to research the meaning of the Alder tree, you would find that, in addition to having medicinal benefits, it also symbolizes overcoming adversity and withstanding external forces. You may also find that in Celtic tradition, it is a sign of protection, a shelter from harm. Perhaps its most interesting trait is its ability to thrive in environments that are swampy and too wet for others to survive. Its determination and will to withstand elements—that would turn most roots to rot—actually cause the Alder to thrive.
It is no coincidence that Kayla and Matt DeVito opened their aptly named storefront, Amidst the Alders, six days into a pandemic, and will no doubt thrive despite the unexpected circumstances that have already closed the doors of many.
The story of Amidst the Alders began with the seed of a handcrafted jewelry line that sprouted into a traveling bus shop, and eventually blossomed into a local storefront in March of this year.
In addition to Kayla’s jewelry line, circa1910, the store is also filled with unusually beautiful home decor, antique furniture, candles, art, and other USA-made products that adorn various displays. Walking in feels like coming home—a reason why this little shop brings a whole new meaning to retail “therapy.” It’s a place to find friendship in strangers, comfort in community, and inspiration at every turn whether it be in conversation or in creativity. It is a place that Beaufort has craved but may not have realized was needed. It’s not your average store. It is also a gathering place to heal and connect, and it is absolutely stunning. Every single thing is intentional and purposeful, no different than each step the couple took to get it here.
Kayla came to us from North Augusta six years ago, while Matt was born and raised right here in Beaufort. Kayla has quite the story from moving to Nashville as an aspiring songwriter to running her own wholesale jewelry company at age 23. Kayla is a mighty force, bound and determined to take necessary steps to make things happen. The word “no” has never been an option, but instead, a challenge accepted.
Matt is an industrial electrician by trade, and in Kayla’s words, “is somehow good at everything he has never tried.” After living in Peru for a year after graduating high school, he was drawn to come back to Beaufort. Kayla’s introverted, creative energy and Matt’s extroverted ability to talk to anyone and everyone, balance each other harmoniously. This couple’s common thread is their sheer determination to thrive where planted; neither are fearful of hard work. Kayla and Matt’s combined passion for living a full life, connecting with others, and being creative is felt immediately upon entering their shop.
Kayla was still living in Nashville when she found out her mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She knew it was time to pack up for the next season of life and try her hand at something else back home in South Carolina. She started selling jewelry on Etsy in her spare time and then branched out to selling to a few local shops in Charleston. When she met Matt in 2014, her jewelry line was already in 22 stores around the Southeast. A year later, they were selling her jewelry to over 100 retailers nationwide by attending wholesale trade shows.
Being a natural introvert, Kayla realized something was different when she would speak with customers at these trade shows. When she opened up and talked about her passion—the why and where behind each piece of jewelry—she came to life and out of her shell.
There was something magical about getting to know these wholesale customers on a personal level, but she began to wonder about those whom she’d likely never meet. What about the women who were purchasing her jewelry from these retail stores and wearing them daily? She realized an important link was missing.
With this weighing on them, Kayla and Matt decided to make a major leap and open a retail store to connect with customers directly. While they couldn’t afford a full brick-and-mortar business, they took their usual creative approach and decided to open a pop-up shop. From there, Melvin the Mini Bus was born. Quite literally, a traveling storefront. They spent a few years opening their little bus shop at local festivals and events.
The jewelry bus was a beautiful beginning, but after a few years of having a tiny pop-up shop, growing pains began to set in. A brick-and-mortar store had always been in their sights, so they adjusted their focus.
After searching for a year for the right space, Kayla was uncompromising and would not open a shop in downtown Beaufort unless there was parking for her local customers. In November 2019, they signed a lease on the only retail space in downtown that came with a private customer parking lot.
Putting in all the blood, sweat, and tears that come with opening their own business, Kayla and Matt renovated their new space nearly every day from November to
March—including Christmas Day—right up until midnight of their opening day.
Unexpectedly, their opening took place just as the world was shutting down.
As doors closed everywhere, Amidst the Alders locked theirs with fearful hearts and held onto the only things they knew might be able to pull them through: their relationship with the local community and the reminder that there are no coincidences. They soon realized that maybe everything happens for a reason after all.
They rooted down into wet soil and held steady, weary of their future but still clinging to hope. They could never have predicted the outpouring of support and kindness that strengthened them from that day forward. Amidst the Alders reopened in May, and this month they will open a second set of doors: a clothing shop called Garden of Elin in Port Royal.
Kayla watched her mom go through countless reconstructive surgeries after her original diagnosis. She saw her mother’s confidence falter and refused to let that happen to anyone else if she could help it. Through a unique kind of clothing shop (sustainable fabrics, reworked vintage, deadstock, handcrafted designs, and curated secondhand items), Kayla hopes to lean into her ultimate dream of empowering other women through self-confidence. Small labels are even sewn into the clothing with phrases such as “you are beautiful,” “beauty has no size,” and “today is a good day” for those who may need an extra nudge. This store is created to remind us that we are all beautiful as is … “because we are.”
While the world is headed toward the ease of online shopping, people like the DeVitos remind us why shopping local is important now more than ever. Sometimes it isn’t about the simple transaction of goods.
If you ask Kayla why they would open a second retail store in the middle of a pandemic or why anyone should ever follow a dream that the world claims is irrational, she will relay a lesson she’s learned from her mom’s battle: “Life is so short. You have no idea what is going to happen tomorrow. Just do it. Do the thing that is burning inside of you. Be intentional and persistent, and all the steps will line up. But you have to continue to make those steps—even when it’s hard, even when it’s ugly, even when your legs want to give out, or you’re out of breath and want to give up because you’re exhausted … even when a pandemic tries to shut down a dream you spent your life’s savings on.”
“You can’t remain stationary, not taking action for your dreams, and expect to go anywhere. Wishing does not work. Work works.”
When the world is seemingly set on division and disconnection, true to its name, Amidst the Alders, true to its name, remains thriving through swampy soil and inviting others to find kinship in the midst. “People first, business later. No exceptions.”
