Miami in 2009 was a different beast. Neon lights, South Beach grit, and a pre-Instagram world that felt a lot louder than it does now. This was the backdrop for Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami, the very first spin-off from the Keeping Up with the Kardashians mothership.
People forget how raw this show actually was. Before the family became a global conglomerate, they were just three sisters trying to sell high-end candles and bandage dresses. Honestly, looking back, this specific era of their lives was probably the most chaotic.
The Reality of Dash Miami
Basically, the whole premise was about expanding their boutique, Dash. They chose a spot on Washington Avenue. If you've ever been to Miami Beach, you know that area is a mix of tourist traps and legitimate nightlife. It wasn't just a vacation; it was a legitimate business risk at the time.
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Khloe was the one doing the heavy lifting on the ground. She even started a late-night radio show called "Khloe After Dark." It was peak Khloe—unfiltered, loud, and constantly getting in trouble with her bosses for things she said or did on air. In one of the more infamous episodes, she actually pulled out drugs that were found in the Dash store while she was live on the radio. It was a mess.
Kourtney, meanwhile, was navigating a very rocky relationship with Scott Disick. This was before the "Lord Disick" persona really took off. He was just the boyfriend who caused a lot of drama.
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Key moments that defined the show:
- The Pregnancy Reveal: In the first season, Kourtney finds out she’s pregnant with Mason. It wasn't planned. It changed the entire trajectory of the family's history.
- The Physical Fights: Unlike the more polished later seasons of their main show, the sisters really went at it here. Kim even flew in and got into a massive blowout where she hit Khloe with her purse.
- The Scott Disick Meltdown: Season two featured a terrifying moment where Scott, fueled by alcohol, punched a mirror. It was a turning point that led to him seeking help, though the road was long.
Why Khloe and Kourtney Take Miami Was Different
The show felt localized. It didn't feel like they were filming in a bubble. They were out in the humidity, dealing with local employees—the "Dash Dolls"—and actually trying to run a shop.
By the third season, things shifted. Khloe had other commitments, so Kim stepped in. The title even changed to Kourtney and Kim Take Miami. It lost a bit of that scrappy, "sisters against the world" energy that the first two seasons had.
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You've gotta realize that back then, the Kardashians weren't "the Kardashians" yet. They were still hustling. They did a naked, body-painted photo shoot just to get press for the store opening. It worked, obviously, but it shows how hard they were pushing for relevance.
Real-world impact
Dash eventually closed all its locations in 2018. The Miami store is gone. The era of the bandage dress is over. But the show remains this weird, sun-drenched time capsule of 2010s celebrity culture.
If you’re looking to revisit the series, keep an eye out for the subtle things. Like how much they used the song "I'm in Miami Trick" by LMFAO. It was the anthem of the show and, frankly, the anthem of that entire year.
To get the most out of a rewatch or to understand the legacy of Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami, focus on the evolution of their business sense. They went from managing a single boutique to running multi-billion dollar companies. The seeds of that ambition were planted in those messy Miami summers. Check out the early seasons on streaming platforms like Peacock or Hayu to see the contrast between then and now. It’s a lesson in brand building, whether you love them or hate them.