our story

Amelia island has always been a place for resort wear boutiques, but a fresh option appeared on the scene with the opening of Harper Rose in 2006, and it has quickly become the place to find designer labels that one would otherwise not find for miles. The success of the boutique stems from the drive to constantly search out new designers and styles to bring simple, contemporary, and stylish clothing to the customers of Harper Rose. The mission is to give shoppers a highly personalized shopping experience, coupled with variety, to keep them coming back.

The namesake, Harper Rose, is a fusion of the middle names of the owner's daugther, Emmie Rose, and her previous business partner's daughter, Chloe Harper.

Jennifer Thompson Athavale

Jennifer was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1969 and moved to Amelia Island when she was 9 years old. She grew up in a private resort community that allowed for a lot of freedom. “Though I did not realize it at the time, I think growing up in such a naturally beautiful environment formed my appreciation for classic, yet stylish, clothing.”

After graduating from high school, Jennifer went on to Florida State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Art degree in fashion merchandising. Some of her favorite subjects were math, accounting, design and textiles. Jennifer’s first job was during a summer break at a small boutique; she then continued to work in small retail venues throughout the years and eventually did an internship at Rich’s Department Store in Atlanta, GA, which led her to her first “real” job out of college at Anne Taylor.

After that, she moved back home to Amelia Island and bought a small women’s boutique called The Garment District; she ran it successfully for 6 years. Then, as always, life called. She met someone and moved away (first to New Orleans and then to Los Angeles), married and had a baby. But, Jennifer could not stay away from Amelia Island and upon her return, everyone begged her to open another boutique and in 2006, she did.