In a recent episode of the Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie interviewed Kelli Hull, who is set to open Monkee's of Fair Oaks Ranch on August 20. The episode, published June 30, 2026, captures a story of reverse migration and retail opportunity: a native Texan returning after nearly 20 years in Washington, D.C., to fill a gap she identified in the Texas Hill Country market for contemporary women's fashion designers.
Recorded in Fair Oaks Ranch just outside San Antonio, the episode delves into the mechanics of launching a franchise boutique in an emerging development. Hull explained why Lemon Creek Ranch, anchored by an H-E-B with I-10 access, won out over other sites in Kendall and Bexar counties. She also detailed the Monkee's franchise process, from the ownamonkeys.com paperwork to Discovery Day in Winston-Salem with VP of Franchising Pete Greene.
Hull discussed brand curation across labels such as Paige Denim, Frame, Aviator Nation, Farm Rio, Millie, Shoshanna, and Marie Oliver. She also described building a military affinity program tied to her husband's role as an Army Reserve officer and her involvement with the Junior League of San Antonio.
Reflecting on her first visit to a Monkee's in Raleigh eight years ago, Hull recalled being struck by how a 1,200-square-foot boutique could carry major contemporary labels. She credited the franchise's collective buying power for opening doors, noting a recent New York trip where she bought 2027 collections at the Farm Rio showroom before her store had even opened. On customer experience, she told McKenzie plainly: "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 conversation went deeper on the build-out realities of taking a cold, dark shell in a new development from developer Valcour, which Hull praised alongside Bexar County permitting that turned around in roughly 72 hours. She explained her data-driven buying philosophy shaped by 20 years supporting special operations and Central Intelligence Agency clients through her consulting business. She also previewed a Sunday by-appointment personal shopping model aimed at busy traveling professionals.
Store number 8 in Texas and roughly number 67 nationally, Monkee's of Fair Oaks will also host private after-hours events and a grand opening gathering for the Junior League's Military Affinity Group.
