An upscale shop that calls itself "a ladies boutique beyond your 'girlie' imagination" has opened the doors to its first Fort Worth location in The Shops at Clearfork. Monkee's officially is open at 5234 Marathon Ave., in the old Alex and Ani space next to B&B Butchers & Restaurant.
The 1,127-square-foot boutique sells designer shoes, clothing, and accessories in a space that is "designed to look like your (well-heeled) girlfriend’s closet," the company says. Think signature chandeliers, comfy couches, and sparkling shoe galleries.
The sought-after brands they carry include Tyler Boe, AG Adriano Goldschmied Premium Denim Jeans, Cupcakes and Cashmere, Crosby, Anna Cate, Gal Meets Glam, and luxurious NEST candles.
Monkee's started in 1995 in Wilmington, North Carolina. According to the company's website, founder Dee Dee Shaw dreamed up "an upscale, girlie, always in style boutique" where customers got a great shopping experience and were known by name.
They clearly want to be known as "girlie."
As for the curiously cute name, it has nothing to do with the pop band that pre-dates the store by 30 or so years. The website says the company is "affectionately named after the phrase Dee Dee’s mother called her four children — her 'bunch of monkeys.'"
Silly name or not, that first store became two, and now there are 26 independently owned and operated Monkee’s boutiques in 10 states.
In 2015, on its 20th anniversary, Monkee’s was awarded the prestigious Retailer of the Year Award by the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association.
The Fort Worth store is the first in DFW; the only other Monkee's in Texas is in Houston.
Clearfork store owner Harriet McKinney says in a release that she is thrilled to bring the brand to her native Fort Worth.
“I first heard about Monkee’s 10 years ago through one of my close friends who lived in Winston-Salem where the franchise is headquartered,” says McKinney in a release. “When she visited Fort Worth, I always noticed her cute clothes. When I would inquire where the outfits were from, the answer was always ‘Monkee’s’.
“There really isn’t anything else like Monkee’s in Fort Worth,” she continues. “Mothers, daughters, even grandmothers will find something to fit their style. We also have a wide price point to appeal to a variety of budgets.”
Monkee's is open 10 am-7 pm Monday-Friday, 10 am-8 pm Saturday, and 12-6 pm Sunday.
Monkee's says it's "designed to look like your (well-heeled) girlfriend’s closet."
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