Kelli Hull is preparing to open Monkee's of Fair Oaks Ranch on August 20, a move that underscores a broader trend of reverse migration from urban centers to suburban and exurban markets. In a recent episode of the Building Texas Show, Hull detailed her decision to leave Washington, DC after nearly two decades to launch a franchise boutique in the Texas Hill Country.
The episode, hosted by Justin McKenzie, explores Hull's journey from a career supporting special operations and Central Intelligence Agency clients to retail entrepreneurship. Hull identified a clear gap in the market for contemporary women's fashion designers in the Fair Oaks Ranch area, a rapidly growing community just outside San Antonio. She chose a site in Lemon Creek Ranch, an emerging development anchored by an H-E-B with I-10 access, over other locations in Kendall and Bexar counties.
Hull's path to opening Monkee's of Fair Oaks Ranch began when she visited a Monkee's store in Raleigh eight years ago and was impressed by how a 1,200-square-foot boutique could carry major contemporary labels. She credits the franchise's collective buying power for opening doors, noting that she recently purchased 2027 collections at the Farm Rio showroom in New York before her store had even opened. The franchise process involved paperwork via ownamonkeys.com and a Discovery Day in Winston-Salem with VP of Franchising Pete Greene.
Hull's brand curation includes Paige Denim, Frame, Aviator Nation, Farm Rio, Millie, Shoshanna, and Marie Oliver. She emphasizes a data-driven buying philosophy shaped by her consulting background and a commitment to customer experience: "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."
The build-out of the store involved taking a cold, dark shell in a new development from developer Valcour, with Bexar County permitting turned around in roughly 72 hours. Hull also previews a Sunday by-appointment personal shopping model aimed at busy traveling professionals, and plans to host private after-hours events and a grand opening gathering for the Junior League's Military Affinity Group, tied to her husband's role as an Army Reserve officer.
Monkee's of Fair Oaks Ranch will be the eighth Monkee's location in Texas and roughly the 67th nationally. Hull's venture highlights the viability of franchise retail in secondary markets and the importance of understanding local demographics and traffic patterns. As she told McKenzie, the decision to return to Texas was driven by both personal and professional factors, and she sees the store as a way to bring high-quality fashion to a community that has been underserved.
