French Quarter recruits women's clothing boutique

Harem & Co. is moving on to its fourth retail center in four decades in business.

Marketing Manager Tammy Kirks said the women’s clothing boutique plans to vacate its end cap in Aundria Plaza and reopen Dec. 29 in French Quarter Plaza, 1638 E. Republic Road.

The store had operated 10 years at Aundria Plaza, 4339 S. National Ave., and 28 years prior at Plaza Towers Center at Glenstone Avenue and Sunshine Street.

“We were not really thinking about moving,” Kirks said. “Anita Zimmerman [of Wilhoit Properties] approached us. We really like the energy at the French Quarter.”

Real estate agent Zimmerman secured two spaces for Harem & Co. on French Quarter’s east corner. Kirks said the retailer is moving into the former Staxx space, and general contractor Morelock-Ross Builders Inc. tore down a wall shared with an insurance office to roughly equal the 6,500 square feet occupied at Aundria Plaza. Lease terms and the retailer’s planed investment were not disclosed.

Kirks said the Aundria Plaza store will close Dec. 27, and Harem & Co. will reopen Dec. 29 in French Quarter. Owner Kathi Cryderman and managers had considered a Dec. 1 moving date.

“We decided it would be best for our customers and for us to open after Christmas,” Kirks said.