Harvey offers up a unique boutique

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Shopping for summer clothes, prom dresses and accessories could reap a benefit considering the sales going on at the recently expanded Tanning Plus & Specialty Boutique on the B Road.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/ Elna Seabrooks
FOREVER PLAID — Michelle Harvey shows off a pair of plaid skimmers on sale at her B Road shop, Tanning Plus & Speciality Boutique.
    Michelle Harvey, the owner, said when she shops for merchandise she can get really good wholesale deals. “I may have to get so many at a time to get the good deals. But, when I get that, I like to pass the deal on.”
    The Houlton businesswoman who owns the popular tanning salon above her husband’s chiropractic office said she started with prom dresses and gowns a couple of years ago because she saw a need for that  in Houlton and she did well. Her boutique consists of two comfortable rooms where customers can peruse racks of clothing and accessories before trying on an outfit in a private dressing room.
    “People started asking me when I was going to carry other lines of clothing and I started to expand with bags and jewelry. Some people asked about plus sizes. Now, we go from size 0-22. We carry plus-size jeans, plus-size tops. If I get feedback, I try to carry what people like.”
    The range of merchandise in her store is fairly wide and quite current.  “I have jeans, bags, lots of cute wallets, some shoes, flip-flops, bathing suits, casual and dressy jewelry, sundresses, formal dresses for proms and weddings, shorts, T-shirts, scarves, socks, hats and belts,” said Harvey. She added that people don’t always know what to expect when the go upstairs for a tanning session or just to look around. “But, they’re very pleased to have a shop here with different kinds of things. They comment that they can’t find most of these things around here.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/ Elna Seabrooks
BELLE OF THE BALL — Customer Tiffany Foster admires a colorful long gown in sherbet hues of peach and pink just right for a black-tie affair or a prom queen.
    Tiffany Foster, a Littleton resident, had been in for a visit “to see Dr. Harvey and got a card in the mail to check out the new addition.” As she browsed the boutique, she said she had tanned there before and decided to go upstairs. “I see a couple of shirts I like and the shoes are cute,” commented Foster.
    There were plenty of sales, too. “I like to have sales quite often,” explained Harvey. Capri jeans and skirts were $10 while pant-style jeans were running around $15 — half the original price. Sale shoes were $10-$12. “I try to keep the prices pretty reasonable because I get a good deal and I pass that on,” said Harvey. Even cocktail dresses and long prom gowns were discounted. One short formal dress was $67 and a long prom gown was $227.
    Harvey added that her daughters confirm her style choices for trends and for being current. “One of my daughters is at Orono. When she comes in, she says ‘Mom you’ve got the latest of stuff here. It’s really current.’ So, with them into fashion, it has helped me to keep up and get the things that will attract the young kids, too,” said Harvey.
    Tanning is a big draw for Harvey who said she has two tanning beds and one upright tanning booth. The booth, she said is a favorite with her lunchtime clients “because it’s quick — 10 minutes.” Packages for tanning are as low as $25.
    Harvey said she is available for special appointments if a customer cannot get to the boutique during her regular business hours which are: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:30-1 p.m. For more information, call: 532-4123; 532-9419 or 538-1823.