Kelli Hull, a veteran and native Texan, has opened Monkee's of Fair Oaks Ranch in the Lemon Creek Ranch development, addressing a significant gap in the local market for contemporary designer clothing. The boutique, located near Fair Oaks Ranch and Boerne, serves women who previously had to drive 45 minutes to San Antonio for similar offerings.
Hull, who spent nearly two decades in Washington, D.C., working in government contracting, moved back to Texas with her family about a year ago. She identified a need in the Hill Country community for accessible contemporary fashion. 'It was really apparent to me that we had a fairly substantive gap in the market,' Hull said. 'If you wanted to wear contemporary designers, there was nowhere to get it in this area.'
Monkee's is a North Carolina-based franchise of locally owned women's boutiques known for carrying major contemporary designers in small, personalized storefronts. Hull discovered the brand eight years ago in Raleigh, North Carolina, and was impressed by its ability to offer well-known brands despite its small footprint. The franchise's collective buying power enables individual boutique owners to access major showrooms in New York. 'Someone like me – my store wasn't even open yet – could walk into a major showroom in New York and buy for the season ahead,' Hull explained.
Monkee's of Fair Oaks Ranch is the eighth Monkee's location in Texas and approximately the 67th nationwide. At just over 1,200 square feet, the boutique offers a curated selection of contemporary designers across various price points, allowing customers to shop from day to night without leaving the Hill Country.
Beyond providing fashion, Hull aims to create a supportive shopping experience. 'A lot of women just need someone to say, 'You're beautiful, that looks good on you – but I think we can do even better,'' she said. 'When you look good, you feel good, and that projects out.' As a veteran-owned business in Military City USA, the boutique plans to support the military community, with details forthcoming.
The store is located in the Lemon Creek Ranch development and can be followed on Instagram at @monkeesoffairoaks for the latest brands and events. Additional updates are available on Facebook and TikTok. The store's website, monkeesoffairoaks.com, provides store information, with online shopping planned for 2027.
