Kelli Hull is trading the nation's capital for the Texas Hill Country, preparing to open Monkee's of Fair Oaks Ranch on August 20. The decision, detailed in a recent episode of the Building Texas Show hosted by Justin McKenzie, underscores a reverse migration trend and a keen eye for retail opportunity. Hull, who spent nearly two decades in Washington, DC, supporting special operations and CIA clients through her consulting business, identified a clear gap in the local market for contemporary women's fashion designers.
The boutique, located in the Lemon Creek Ranch development anchored by an H-E-B with I-10 access, won out over other sites in Kendall and Bexar County. Hull cited the area's growth and accessibility as key factors. The store will carry brands like Paige Denim, Frame, Aviator Nation, Farm Rio, Millie, Shoshanna, and Marie Oliver, leveraging Monkee's collective buying power to offer major labels in a 1,200 square foot space.
Hull's path to entrepreneurship began eight years ago when she walked into her first Monkee's in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was struck by how a small boutique could carry such high-end brands. The franchise process, detailed on ownamonkeys.com, included paperwork and a Discovery Day in Winston-Salem with VP of Franchising Pete Greene. Hull credits the franchise's buying power for opening doors, noting a recent New York trip where she purchased 2027 collections at the Farm Rio showroom before her store had even opened.
Customer experience is a priority. Hull told McKenzie: "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 to offer a Sunday by-appointment personal shopping model for busy traveling professionals, along with private after-hours events and a grand opening gathering for the Junior League's Military Affinity Group, reflecting her husband's role as an Army Reserve officer.
The build-out process involved taking a cold, dark shell from developer Valcour, with Bexar County permitting turning around in roughly 72 hours. Hull's data-driven buying philosophy, shaped by her consulting background, will guide inventory decisions. Monkee's of Fair Oaks Ranch becomes the 8th Monkee's in Texas and roughly the 67th nationally, marking a significant expansion for the franchise in the region.
The episode is part of the Building Texas Show, which profiles founders and operators shaping business across Texas. The full conversation is available on podcast platforms.
