HARPER GREY'S NEW LOCATION

STORY BY & PHOTOS BY BETSY ILER

The entrepreneurial spirit came over Taylor Patterson after the birth of her daughter, Saige Harper, in 2017. Patterson, 28, owns Harper Grey, a pretty, relaxing boutique at the Cherokee Village shopping center on Alexander City’s Cherokee Road.

She toyed with the idea of opening a store for a couple of years; and then, shortly after her son, Colson Grey, was born in 2020, Patterson opened a 300-square-foot shop at The Square in downtown Alexander City.

“That went very well. I was there for a year, and I developed relationships with my customers. I loved it,” Patterson explained. “The only reason I moved is that I wanted to carry more inventory, but it was only 300 square feet.”

After developing a customer base and learning what her clientele likes, Patterson has stepped out on her own in a 1,500-square-foot storefront on a busy road closer to U.S. Route 280. Harper Grey, named for her children, offers a variety of women’s, children’s and even men’s clothing, as well as accessories, select food items and more. Hers is one of the few boutiques in town that offers fashion choices in small-3X.

“I was doing well where I was, but now sales have picked up,” said the Alexander City native.

The personal attention she gives to her customers is key, Patterson said, whether they are shopping for themselves or looking for a gift.

“When people come in, often they just want something new. I try to give them a few different items to try on because sometimes, when you look at something on the rack, you think it’s not you. Then, when you try it, you realize it might be. I try to be helpful and engage with everybody who comes in,” she said.

Her initial idea was to offer adorable children’s clothing like the outfits she found for her own little girl, and while those items are popular in her store, she realized women wanted pieces for themselves as well. Now, Harper Grey includes an expanded inventory of dressy casual fashions for juniors and women, in addition to children’s clothing for casual occasions, birthday or shower gifts. She also stocks a selection of attractive, comfortable shirts for men, women’s jewelry, body care and sweet treats to tuck into gift bags.

“I also try to offer something for everyone in every price range. I have a $10 sales rack with bargains on it, and the pricing in the store is what I think is reasonable for someone to pay,” she said.

In addition to naming the store for her children, Patterson, who also holds down a fulltime nursing position in Clay County, enlisted the support of her husband, Cole, to open the store.

Bigger and Better

The new store in Cherokee Village is five times larger than Patterson's previous space; Inset: Baby clothes sparked Patterson's interest in opening the boutique.

“He put together just about everything in the store to help me get ready to open,” she explained. “And he helps out in the store if I have to be gone for a few hours. That’s a lot because he already has a fulltime job and a part time job.”

Cole is a firefighter and paramedic, as well as a part-time police officer in New Site.

“He’s so supportive of my dream,” Patterson added.

Harper Grey is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays until 2 p.m. Visit her website at shopharpergrey.com or her Facebook page at Harper Grey LLC, or drop in at the store at 2028 Cherokee Rd., Alexander City, to congratulate her on her opening.