Patty Kempe, Longtime Owner of Santa Fe Boutique Pinkoyote and Former Bloomingdale’s Buyer, Dies at 79

Patricia “Patty” Kempe, the founder of the influential Santa Fe apparel boutique Pinkoyote and a veteran of high-end retail merchandising, passed away on April 18, 2026. After a career spanning major roles at Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, Kempe established her independent shop in 1990, where she curated a selection of natural fiber garments for over 25 years. Her transition from corporate buying to successful entrepreneurship highlights the evolution of the independent boutique sector and the importance of instinctive trend forecasting in the fashion industry.

Patty Kempe’s career in the fashion industry began at JCPenney in Utah before she ascended to high-profile roles in the New York and Kansas City markets. She served as a buyer for prestigious retailers including Best & Co., Bloomingdale’s, and Macy’s, gaining extensive experience in global sourcing and merchandising. During her tenure in corporate retail, Kempe traveled to international hubs such as Hong Kong, Indonesia, and India to source materials and manage orders, developing what colleagues and family described as a 'sixth sense' for seasonal color trends and consumer purchasing behavior.

In 1990, Kempe left the corporate world to open Pinkoyote in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a move considered a significant risk for a female entrepreneur at the time. Originally located on Old Santa Fe Trail before moving to a permanent location on Shelby Street near the Plaza, the boutique became a regional mainstay for over a quarter-century. Unlike the rigid corporate structures of her previous employers, Pinkoyote allowed Kempe to exercise full creative control, focusing on high-quality natural fibers such as linen and raw silk. Her brother, Fred Kempe, noted that the store attracted a clientele seeking 'expression' and 'discovery' rather than mass-marketed apparel.

Kempe operated Pinkoyote until its permanent closure in 2017, following her recovery from mouth and throat cancer. Beyond her retail success, she was known for her directness and mentorship within the local business community, even providing branded apparel for local youth scholarship programs. Her death at age 79 marks the loss of a pioneer who bridged the gap between large-scale international merchandising and the specialized independent boutique market. Her career serves as a case study in the value of instinctive buying and the enduring appeal of curated, material-focused retail environments in the fashion sector.