Houston’s premier boys-only boutique now has a permanent home in Rice Village. ParkerJoe, which offers clothing, accessories, and lifestyle brands that takes lads from wee tykes to pre-adolescent (in sizes newborn to 16), originally opened last year in a temporary spot in the River Oaks Shopping Center.
Now open at 5515 Kelvin Dr., Suite 95, the store unfolds across 1,900 square feet, all of it stocked with the retailer’s carefully curated inventory that embraces all kinds of boys and all types of occasions. Families will find looks that range from formal and preppy to sporty and casual, with brands such as Bailey Boys, Classic Prep, Saltwater Boys, and Appaman as well as local brands like Sunnies, which specializes in polarized sunglasses for children, and onesies from Houston children’s apparel purveyor Oink Moo.
“We wanted to create a place where boys are seen and heard,” said Lisa Hostler, who owns the store with her daughter Chelsea. “Their needs and their wants are represented at ParkerJoe.”
Hostler is excited to be in the Rice Village spot, an affluent area known for its walkability and attractiveness for families, which make it an ideal location for a niche retailer like ParkerJoe.
“It’s a younger population and a strong retail mix,” she said. “We couldn’t be happier here in a center that has welcomed us so warmly and made us feel at home.”
The store itself is designed to help boys enjoy the sometimes awkward process of shopping for new clothes. Towards that end, they are welcome to touch and play with toys on the shelves, which are stocked with books, games, and stuffed animals.
An official grand opening is planned for September, but prior to that customers can expect a summer of events including trunk shows, a fashion show, and an influencer brunch.
Even as Lisa and Chelsea are excited to be in Rice Village, they are setting their sights on continued expansion. They currently have a temporary outpost in Memorial City Mall, and are looking for retail locations in other Houston neighborhoods, with a desire to open across Texas.
ParkerJoe in Rice Village is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Photo by Alex Montoya
Boys are welcome to read the books on the shelves.
