Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Emily Parker and Crown City Errands: Groceries, Vet Appointments, Prescription Pickups and More

Starting a personal concierge and errand-running service was something Emily Parker had on her mind for a long time. In fact, she—along with her fourteen-year-old son, Alex and thirteen-year-old daughter, Julia—came up with the idea last summer. What Emily didn’t know is that she would ultimately launch her business right before the COVID-19 lockdown.

“I started doing this business the beginning of March,” says Emily. “Such a crazy time! I can’t really say how the virus has affected my business, because it’s all I know.”

Although Emily recently returned to Coronado after living in South Carolina for more than 17 years, she is no stranger to the island. In fact, her family has been in Coronado for more than 50 years, and she attended school at Sacred Heart Parish School.

And taking care of others is something that comes naturally to her, given her background as a nurse. Emily says knowing that she is helping others is the most rewarding part of her business. “The best thing about this job is seeing the relieved faces of my customers after I’ve taken care of one of their errands,” says Emily.

Emily spends five to six hours a day assisting her clients. She does everything from grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, taking pets to the vet, dog walking, and arranging appointments…she’s even working on adding notary services. The most-requested errand so far? Grocery shopping, of course.

Emily Parker
Emily spends much of her time grocery shopping for clients.

For the safety of herself and her customers, Emily takes all the necessary precautions, and then some. “I always wear a mask, use gloves, and spray down items with disinfectant spray,” says Emily. “I always have a box of Clorox wipes with me!”

Emily will “most certainly” run errands over the bridge, and has driven as far as Ramona to run an errand for a customer at a farm. She says the most challenging part about her business is when the stores don’t have what her customer is asking for, such as…toilet paper.

Emily Parker
Toilet paper…the sacred commodity!

But all in all, Emily loves her business and the connection it brings to others. “My errand running service is a wonderful way to get to know my community,” says Emily. “My goal was to lighten the load a little bit for everyone.”

Emily says she will always remember the way Coronado has remained strong throughout this crisis, but can’t wait to gather with her loved ones. “I will always remember the way the community has banded together,” says Emily. “But when this is over, I can’t wait to have my friends and family over for dinner. I miss their hugs!”

To arrange a service, please contact Emily at 619-844-7103.

 

 



Christine Van Tuyl
Christine Van Tuyl
Christine has been writing and telling stories since she could hold a crayon. She started working for The Coronado Times in 2020 just a few weeks before the global pandemic, and it’s only gotten more exciting! She graduated from UCSD with a degree in Communications and earned her Masters in Journalism from Harvard in May 2024. She has worked as a news writer for KUSI-TV, a reporter for the San Diego Community News Group and as an editor for Greenhaven Press. In Coronado, she writes for Crown City Magazine, in addition to reporting for The Coronado Times, where she covers education, social justice, health and fitness, travel and the arts. She loves a good human interest story and writing anything about animals. When she’s not working, you’ll find her at home with her husband, two teenage girls and English Bulldog, at the barn with her horse, or headed far away on a new travel adventure. You’ll also spot her at yoga, running along the Bay, walking dogs at PAWS or eating a burrito. Christine loves living in Coronado and always finds something to write about in this dynamic, exciting little town.

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