Playful, tree-swinging creatures are usually what come to mind when you think of monkeys, but not to Founder Dee Dee Shaw. Determined to love going to work, she dreamed up the store that was affectionately named after the phrase Dee Dee’s mother called her four children – her “bunch of monkeys”.
In 1995, the original Monkee’s store opened in Wilmington, North Carolina. Imagine a store beyond your wildest imagination – an upscale, girlie, always in style boutique where the owner desired to give her customers the ultimate shopping experience – and even know them by name! It did not take long for the word to spread, and soon Monkee’s of Wilmington was a destination! A second store was opened only a short time later in Winston-Salem, North Carolina by Brenda Maready, the co-owner of Monkee’s Franchising, LLC.
The Monkee’s brand has become synonymous with personalized customer service and cutting edge designer fashion. Instead of shopping at big department stores, customers travel to Monkee’s for an intimate shopping experience. Monkee’s owners and sales associates learn faces, names, favorite designers, and more! At Monkee’s, it has never been just about the sale; it’s about helping a friend walk out feeling beautiful and looking her best.
In 2015, Monkee’s was honored with a Retailer of the Year Award by the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association. This award is an annual recognition celebrating retail excellence, from the smallest independent retailers to the largest chains across all sectors. Businesses are evaluated according to their contributions to the state’s economy, their business innovations, as well as their impact on local communities.
Will I be provided assistance from Monkee’s Corporate for day-to-day operational questions and issues?
Yes! Our franchise system is set up to provide you with tools and support to help you meet your business goals. We have a dedicated Franchise Team, plus we provide each franchisee with a comprehensive Operations Manual, with accompanying electronic forms and other documents, and direct phone and email access to contact our staff with questions. Operational Services that we provide to our franchisees include but are not limited to:
- Inventory Management guidance
- Access to select vendors
- Assistance with financial reporting
How much time per year is spent going to markets for inventory buys?
We recommend attending 6 – 8 markets per year. Some franchisees do more or less depending on their inventory levels. There are several major markets each year that we encourage our franchisees to attend. As part of the Monkee’s Franchise System, our franchisees receive a complete Market Calendar.
Can my boutique sell lines that are not carried by all Monkee’s stores?
Yes! We understand that buying trends vary by market and encourage our franchisees to purchase merchandise that will sell successfully within their market. We have an Approved Vendor Process that is required for all vendors that are not currently on the Approved Vendor List.
How are protected areas selected?
During the qualification stage for franchisee prospects, Monkee’s will assist you with market research and area demographics in selecting a protected area and site for your store. Monkee’s must approve the protected area and site selected, but the final decision of selecting a site will be yours.
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