The ladies of Dripping Springs have one more reason to be thankful this fall, as our town welcomes its very own Monkee’s—an upscale women’s boutique featuring name-brand shoes, clothing, and accessories.
Owner Elona Appleby, a former shoe designer and all-around fashion lover, is excited to bring Monkee’s to Dripping Springs. Over the years, as her family moved from state to state along with her husband’s job, Appleby noticed the chic Monkee’s franchises popping up all over the country and admired their stylish selection. When she moved to Dripping Springs five years ago, she knew Drip needed its own Monkee’s.
A franchise headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Monkee’s is known for offering a stunning collection of high-end fashion and exceptional, individualized service. “Monkee’s is a place where anyone walking through the doors feels welcomed … a place where anyone will be able to find something they love,” says Appleby.
When she decided the time was right to open her own Monkee’s, Appleby knew that location was key. Although she felt pressured to consider other areas such as Lakeway or Bee Cave, Appleby insisted on Dripping Springs. “Out of all the places I’ve lived, I feel like this store belongs here,” she says. “There is nothing like it here nor in the surrounding areas.”
To make Monkee’s of Dripping Springs a reality, Appleby leans on her husband, Charlie, for support and encouragement. Her mother and business partner, Lilly Kulla, also plays an essential role at the boutique. Appleby says about Kulla, “She is my full-time, right-hand buyer, salesperson, store merchandiser, guest entertainer, professional hugger, listener, and encourager of all things fun.”
The mother-daughter duo has dreamed of opening a shop like Monkee’s for a long time. “We've always talked about wanting to open a boutique together, and I am thrilled we can now say we did that,” Appleby shares. “My mother is my biggest inspiration in life and there’s no other person I’d be doing this with.”
The chic, go-to shopping destination will feature a diverse collection of smaller brands that sell exclusively to boutiques, along with a few more popular brands like Farm Rio, Alice and Olivia, Cleobella, Alden Adair, Hutch, Krewe, and Pistola. “It has been a dream and absolute joy shopping for the store and discovering all these beautiful brands and bringing them to Dripping,” says Kulla.
From classy essentials to show-stopping statement pieces, the selection at Monkee’s Dripping Springs is truly unique and won’t be found anywhere else. Every item in the store has been thoughtfully chosen by Appleby and Kulla with Dripping Springs ladies in mind. “We really focus on what our market responds to, based on our weather, our Hill Country style, and the demographic of this town.” Case in point: The Dripping Springs location will be the first Monkee’s store featuring a hat bar, perfect for visitors headed through town toward a winery or locals completing their Hill Country look for an event here in Drip.
Wherever your destination, there’s something for every occasion—and every guest—at Monkee’s. “It’s not just young mamas that need this; it’s also all the ladies my age,” says Kulla. “We want a fun, beautiful place to shop, right here at home.”
Appleby has an exquisite vision for the space and the shopping experience she aims to provide to the community. “The vibe is elegant yet fun,” she says. “Our goal is to bring back true customer service in store and online, provide free gift wrapping, personal styling, and host private shopping events, all while building relationships with our customers.”
Right here in our own backyard, Monkee’s of Dripping Springs is slated to open its doors in early November. Whether you need a new dress or a last-minute gift, Appleby and Kulla are delighted to help you make a beautiful choice. Appleby shares, “I am thankful for every person who walks through those doors, for every purchase big or small, and for the fact that you chose to support our small, mother-daughter business.”
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