When Kelli Hull moved back to Texas after nearly 20 years in Washington, D.C., she identified a significant gap in the Hill Country retail market: a lack of nearby options for contemporary designer clothing. In response, she opened Monkee's of Fair Oaks Ranch, a locally owned, veteran-owned women's boutique located in the Lemon Creek Ranch development, serving Fair Oaks Ranch and Boerne communities.
Hull, a Texas A&M University graduate and native Texan, spent almost two decades in government contracting before returning to Texas with her husband, Chris, an Army Reserve officer. The move home prompted her to pursue a long-held dream of boutique ownership, driven by the frustration of having to drive 45 minutes to San Antonio for designer apparel. "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 designer brands in small, neighborhood storefronts. Hull first encountered the concept eight years ago in Raleigh, North Carolina, and was impressed by the brand's ability to offer well-known labels in an intimate setting. The franchise's collective buying power enables individual store 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. Without that, none of this would be possible," Hull explained.
Monkee's of Fair Oaks Ranch is store #8 in Texas and approximately #67 nationwide, placing Hull early in a growing national brand. At just over 1,200 square feet, the boutique offers a curated selection of contemporary designers across a range of price points, allowing customers to shop for day-to-night looks without leaving the Hill Country. Hull emphasizes a personalized shopping experience, aiming to boost customers' confidence. "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 the San Antonio area, known as Military City USA, the boutique plans to support the military community, with more details forthcoming. Customers can follow Monkee's of Fair Oaks Ranch on Instagram at @monkeesoffairoaks for the latest brands and events, with additional updates on Facebook and TikTok. The store's website, monkeesoffairoaks.com, offers store information, with online shopping planned for 2027.
