Kelli Hull is set to open Monkee's of Fair Oaks Ranch on August 20, a move that highlights a reverse migration trend and retail opportunity in the Texas Hill Country. A native Texan returning after nearly 20 years in Washington, DC, Hull identified a clear gap in the market for contemporary women's fashion designers. The store, located in the Lemon Creek Ranch development anchored by an H-E-B with I-10 access, will be the eighth Monkee's in Texas and roughly the 67th nationally.
In a recent episode of the Building Texas Show, hosted by Justin McKenzie, Hull discussed the mechanics of launching a franchise boutique. She chose the Fair Oaks Ranch site after evaluating other Kendall and Bexar County locations, citing the development's access and growth potential. The Monkee's franchise process, from ownamonkeys.com paperwork to Discovery Day in Winston-Salem with VP of Franchising Pete Greene, was a key part of the journey.
Brand curation will include Paige Denim, Frame, Aviator Nation, Farm Rio, Millie, Shoshanna, and Marie Oliver. Hull's experience walking into her first Monkee's in Raleigh eight years ago, where a 1,200 square foot boutique carried major contemporary labels, convinced her of the franchise's collective buying power. She recounted a recent New York trip where she bought 2027 collections at the Farm Rio showroom before her store had even opened.
Hull emphasized customer experience, stating, "It is my solemn vow to you that I will never let you leave Monkee's of Fair Oaks in something that doesn't look phenomenal on you. I promise." She plans a Sunday by-appointment personal shopping model for busy traveling professionals and will host private after-hours events.
The build-out involved taking a cold, dark shell in a new development from Valcour, with Bexar County permitting turned around in roughly 72 hours. Hull's data-driven buying philosophy was shaped by 20 years supporting special operations and Central Intelligence Agency clients through her consulting business. She is also building a military affinity program tied to her husband's role as an Army Reserve officer and the Junior League of San Antonio.
The episode, available now on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, captures a timely story of reverse migration and retail opportunity in Texas. The Building Texas Show, hosted by Justin McKenzie, profiles founders, operators, and community builders shaping business across Texas.
