Cashmere Lover Opens Downtown Boutique

For Karen Thro, it was once difficult to find a good cashmere sweater in a beach town.

She detests shopping malls, so 15 years she ago she entered the Orange County retail business scene, opening Millie Clothing in Newport Beach and Monarch Beach.

Now the delicate wool she loves can be found in her boutique's third location, which recently opened in the Mission Promenade in San Juan Capistrano. Crimson red velvet jackets, soft leather clutches and jewel-toned bangles fill the airy store, which is has a mainly white color scheme, trimmed in light blue.

She sells apparel from clothing lines that include contemporary designers such as Frye Boots, James Perse, Micheal Stars and Hudson Jeans. Then, there's the cashmere: White and Warren Cashmere as well as Autumn Cashmere. 

Perhaps aside from Thro's affection for cashmere, the Millie displays are a familiar scene—it's the second consecutive high-end apparel boutique to occupy the corner spot of the Promenade next to Chico's.

Mary Rubenstein, owner of Mi Place, recently left the space after a six-month trial lease. For many years before that, Regalo, a gift and home furnishings store occupied the space. 

Rubenstein speculated that her clothing may have been too high-end for the location. She's been at her other two locations in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach for 36 years.

But Thro is confident that Millie is here to stay. "I have great clothing and great service," she said.

Thro has been in the retail business for about 15 years and chose San Juan Capistrano as the city for her third store for its distinct location. "I love this location since the building is right across from the . The historical aspect and overall atmosphere is really charming and attracts customers."

She describes Millie's look as casual, comfortable and contemporary. Nearly all of the clothes sold there are made in America, she said.  

Prices average from $100 to $200 for clothing. Accessories range from $17 to $600 for a designer purse. The store also carries jewelry and holiday gift items, with gift-wrapping services for smallers items such as candles, soaps, laundry detergent and lotions.

Millie is at 26850 Ortega Hwy. Store hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.