Meet Katerina Stastny | Bridal Boutique Owner/Wedding Planner/Restaurant Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katerina Stastny and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katerina, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
When people think of Katerina Garcia, they think of this athlete who worked extremely hard and never gave up. Who put extra hours into everything because she was determined to be the best one out on the court or field. When people think of Katerina Stastny, I would like them to know nothing has changed. I would still describe myself as a hard working women that will put in extra time and thought to make sure that everything is the best that it can be.

I want to be remembered as someone who worked so hard every single day, who helped make a difference, who could make people’s day a little brighter. I feel that when I put in my best work people know it, see it, and feel it through their experience. Whether that be in my bridal store, through community events, or simply with friends and family.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
O my career. To put this down on paper, I am not sure where to even begin, so I guess we will start somewhat at the beginning…

I was 15 when I started working for Jerry and Carrie Martinez at CJ’s Diner. I have worked for them through an athletic high school and collegiate career, off and on while continuing to grow, and currently I still work at CJ’s. I have bussed tables, delivered, waited tables, and have run events for them. Two years ago, prior to covid we catered 52 weddings in one summer, and that was a true eye opener as to what they had created at the Diner. Jerry and Carrie are so involved with our community. Due to that, I have been blessed in being able to serve everyone in this town as well as go to these events proceeding to get to know people even better. The respect that our community has for Jerry and Carrie and vice versa, is admirable and I would love to continue that in my own business.

My parents are FLC Alumni and being raised in this town with that knowledge has been such a blessing. I have watched them both coach and teach for my entire life. They have helped kids reach a level that they didn’t know that they had. That is inspirational and so important to my story. My dad has always had this special way of making each and every kid feel important. Helping them when they are at their lowest and their highest. Buying someone shoes, when they truly needed it. He has also been stern and firm when needed. He has won championships, and lost some. Treating his student and his players like they were family. My mom is truly one of a kind and just simply amazing. I would absolutely not be where I am at without her. Because of her and my dad I was able to play basketball at a collegiate level. That story is for a different time, but it does have to do with who I am today and how I run my business. Without that experience I am not sure that I would have the desire to succeed, the need to work so hard, and the patience to know great things take time. All of that has taught me so much and has helped me develop the bridal store into what it is.

After college I left our wonderful town and moved to Arizona, where I worked under some of the most wonderful people who helped me further grow. They taught me so much more than I could have imagined, everything from life, customer service in the food and beverage industry as well as the wedding industry and a greater appreciation for people. Carlos Acosta and Ania Zwolinski took me under their wings and taught me parts of both industries that I still use everyday! Ania helped me see a totally different side of the wedding word and I fell head over heels in love with it.

I then moved home and went back to work at CJ’s Diner as their Catering Manager. Loving being in the restaurant and being able to do weddings and events my contacts continued to grow as did my dreams. I met my husband 5 years ago and he challenged me to be more. We had one Bridal Boutique in town at that time and I said, this is my dream job and this is how I can be more!. So when that went up for sale, I had to have it. Unfortunately, it simply didn’t work out. Since then it went up for sale two more times…then a friend said, “Katerina, this is what you want. Let’s make it happen.” That is just what we did. We made it happen. She sold me her business (they were moving and on to other wonderful things) and since then everyday has been an adventure. My family helped me re-design the boutique to make it my own. One that I thought would be inviting, friendly, and exciting for every bride. I brought in 45+ new dresses in one year and have more on the way. Just because we are a smaller town doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t have some of the best options when it comes to wedding gowns! We have an amazing jewelry, headpiece, and accessory line that is perfect for any bride! We also sell bridal lingerie and robes. Not to mention adorable flower girl dresses! And of course we don’t forget the gentleman, we have handsome tuxes ready for rental or purchase. Things that people used to travel out of town to go get. I wanted to eliminate that for them! Through the shop we also provide invitations, signs, and wedding planning, The thought was to truly make it a one shop stop to relieve brides from stress. If they don’t find it at the shop or it simply isn’t their style, we have all the connections to get them to the best fit vendor as there are some REMARKABLE ones to choose from! Weddings are supposed to be magical and fun, but for some they turn into a stressful event and become so much work that they forget to enjoy the process. At Katerina’s Darling Bridal we would like to take that away from them and truly have them ENJOY the fun, special moments! So this brings us full circle back to my first few stories about the people who have helped me personally grow. I have watched them treat everyone like family. At the Bridal Boutique, that is exactly how I treat people. It is small and intimate and everyone deserves to be treated like the queen or king that they are. So at Katerina’s Darling Bridal, please know that you will be loved like family and treated with respect, & kindness. We will do whatever we can to help you find your perfect gown, and enjoy everything about the process.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Durango is such a cool place to visit I am not sure you need an itinerary, just getting out and about is amazing!

If my best friend came to visit …

I would say some of my absolute favorite restaurants to eat at are…

Of course… CJ’s Diner (amazing breakfast)
Griegos (the best Mexican food in town)
The Roost (everything here is sooooo good… favorite date night location)
Derailed (great atmosphere! always has live music)
East by Southwest (all around a fabulous place)
Ken and Sues (if you need a good martini…this is the place to go!)
Bayfield Brewery (my husbands and I go to spot…delicious burgers)
The Balcony (such a relaxed and chilled place with great fried pickles!)
…the list of delicious restaurants in the area are truly endless and I love good food, so we would have to hit all the spots!

After one of those meals we would have to check out the Bookcase and Barber, our speak easy in town that is so cool and has delicious drinks!

The Office (hands down my favorite place… the atmosphere is amazing and there is always live music!)

The Billy Goat (our famous, awesome bar, ran by an amazing woman…this is a date night for my husband and I and we are always surrounded by fun, lovely people and great drinks! )

As for activities… I would suggest..
Riding on our wonderful Durango Narrow-gauge Train (Al Harper is one of a kind!)
Purgatory Resort.. (so many fun activities for summer and for winter)
A climb down Cascade into it’s beautiful waterfall… (breathtaking!)
Depending on the time of year, (fall..). right now the colors are absolutely AMAZING so I would suggest a color drive to Silverton. Where I would insist on stopping at the Wyman Hotel and staying for a night!

One of our favorite activities to do in Durango is Get Fused. (it is this awesome fun art studio where you get to create artwork using glass)

Another fun activity is to visit the Wineries. (there are several in the area and they are all wonderful and each are unique and different)

If we are in the mood for dancing, well I would insist that we visit the Wild Horse to enjoy a fun night!

In a different direction, Pagosa Hot Springs are always fun to stop at!

In another direction, Mesa Verde is something that everyone should see at some point in their life, as it is full of interesting, amazing history.

So… without making a complete itinerary (or using complete sentences) these are the places and things that if my best friend was in town, we would do!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to thank my parents (Yvette and Ponch Garcia), brother (Easton), and granny (Katherine) who never ever stop believing in me. They constantly push me to be the best that I can be, supporting me in any way possible to make that happen.

My husband, TJ Stastny, for being my rock, and my best friend. I love you.

Carrie and Jerry Martinez, for letting me become a part of their CJs family. Teaching that hard work does pay off, and that kindness is priceless.

Mollie Malarsie who helped give me the opportunity to live my dream.

Desiree Fuller who helps run this amazing little dream when I cannot be there. To Spring and Luke Reitz…couldn’t have done any of this with out you and your amazing photography.

The list of people that I need to thank is truly endless. I was so blessed growing up in this close knit town of Durango, getting to know so many people and each one of them has had an impact on my life. Since starting Katerina’s Darling Bridal, the support I have received has been remarkable. So THANK YOU to everyone who has helped me get where I am.

Website: katerinasdarlingbridal.com

Instagram: @katerinasdarlingbridal

Image Credits
Timberline Photography & Films – Luke and Spring Reitz