CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

Harper’s Could Open In Time For Christmas, Owner Says

Harper’s boutique, the newest shop from the woman behind Erica Dee, could be open in time for last-minute holiday shopping, Erica Thomas has confirmed.

Harper’s will be opening at 2610 East Coast Highway, possibly as soon as Dec. 22. Although an official grand opening party won’t take place until next month, Thomas said she hopes to have the boutique open with free gift-wrapping and valet parking.

Fans of the Erica Dee shops have been following the new boutique’s progress on both Facebook and Twitter, waiting for word that construction is complete and the shop is open. Thomas says the new shop will be modern and feminine and will carry brands such as Ella Moss and Wilster.

Thomas opened the first Erica Dee shop in Corona del Mar in 2001, but she closed all the boutiques by late last year.

“I missed it,” Thomas said in a recent interview. “At first I thought I could do the online thing, but I really missed the clientele.”

The new shop will be back to basics, aimed at women and with a wide array of prices, she said.

“It caters to all shoppers,” she said. “If they want to come in and buy a super special contemporary piece, they can get it. But there will be items at a lower price point as well.”

Thomas said she named the new shop after her 18-month-old daughter.

“She got me through all of this,” Thomas said. “I lost everything with Erica Dee — my overhead was so high. I had to be inspired, and she helped.”

The new shop will be 1,200 square feet. “Very cozy and cool — very manageable. I was up in the air where I’d open, but this is where my following is. Why would I go anywhere else? I’m going to be there all the time.”

Corona del Mar Today will report the opening date as soon as Thomas confirms it. Or, check out Harper’s on Facebook for

Read our earlier stories about Erica Dee and Harper’s here and here.