RED BANK — The former professional escort who helped bring down a governor has a new business planned for the borough’s downtown.
Ashley Dupre, who gained considerable notoriety when she was identified as the call girl regularly hired by then New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, has plans on opening a retail women’s lingerie and swimwear store on Broad Street.
Nancy Adams, executive director for Red Bank RiverCenter, which manages the borough’s special improvement district, said Dupre would be leasing a 15 Broad St. location formerly occupied by Lavish Kids, a children’s clothing store. Dupre’s store is expected to be called Femme by Ashley, Adams said.
Adams said she hasn’t personally had any contact with Dupre, with the lease being negotiated with the property owner.
According to municipal tax records, Providence D’Arpa, Atlantic Highlands, owns the property.
The store will be next to CoCo Pari, an exclusive women’s clothing boutique. Last week in an email response, CoCo Pari’s owner, Kimberly Landau, said the new spot would complement the stores that are already there. “Quite frankly, we’re surprised no one did this sooner,” she said.
Dupre had been dining at neighboring Blue Water Seafood and shopping in CoCo Pari when she noticed the vacant spot, Landau’s email said.
Dupre, who is originally from Wall and had been known as Ashley Youmans, figured prominently when her relationship with Spitzer became known, with the scandal leading to the governor’s resignation from office.
Dupre, who had posed for Playboy magazine, more recently writes a weekly sex and dating column for the ***ITAL**New York Post***END**and aspires to a music career, is reportedly considering going back to school to become a licensed clinical social worker, as well as possibly opening a restaurant in the future, according to her website.
Dupre did not respond to emails sent to the New York Post seeking comment.
