Houston’s walkable garden district, the iconic Rice Village, hosts a tapestry of oak-lined streets bustling with local boutiques and national brands, community experiences from farmers’ markets to live music, and buzzy bars and restaurants, including ParkerJoe, a modern boys' boutique dedicated to curating stylish, high-quality clothing in sizes from newborn to young adult.

While chic girls' boutiques are everywhere these days, finding a shop dedicated solely to well-made, thoughtfully-designed boys’ clothing is a different story. That’s exactly what mother-daughter team Lisa and Chelsea Hostler discovered while shopping for Chelsea’s son, Parker, then two years old.

As Lisa recalls, "When Parker was born, he was the first boy in two generations, so we had no idea how hard it was to find really cute, stylish boy stuff. We searched and searched, but it was all the same—cartoon characters or basics. We visited a local boutique and Chelsea was like, ‘Look, you can go to all the children's booths here, and it's 100% girl stuff, with nothing for boys at all.’ That’s when we started talking.”

Instead of settling, they decided to change the game. Diving into the world of boys’ retail, the duo found that most retailers catered to small sizes, leaving older boys with limited options. They were determined to fill that gap and got to work curating a collection of high-quality, distinguished threads that would cover all stages of a boy’s life, from newborn to size 16 and beyond.

In 2021, ParkerJoe took its first steps at Painted Tree Boutiques in Champions. "Boy moms would walk by, stop, and come back again, saying, ‘Wait, it’s all boys?!’ They were so excited," Chelsea shares. The success led to more pop-ups across Houston, including Sugar Land, Stafford, the River Oaks Shopping Center, and Memorial City Mall (where they are currently open through June 30). 

Now, ParkerJoe is gearing up for its biggest milestone yet—its handsomely outfitted flagship store in Rice Village, with a grand opening planned for the third weekend of May and a soft opening expected in *fingers-crossed* late April. Chelsea—the shopper of the family—had long had her sights set on Rice Village, drawn to the energy and foot traffic of the walkable shopping district. When the pieces fell into place, the flagship dream was finally becoming a reality.

The Rice Village brick-and-mortar will house ParkerJoe’s cherry-picked collection of styles that blend quality with personality and boyish charm. "We have everything a boy needs," says Chelsea. "A lot of moms love all-natural fabrics, so we carry bamboo, organic cotton, and classic cotton. We also offer seasonal and made-to-order suits, lifestyle wear, and basics. My mom always says, ‘We can dress your boys from underwear to formalwear, all the way to size 16—and even some [brands to] 18s and 20s.’"

The cool boy’s shop carries everything—Meripex Apparel golf and tennis shirts to funky skater and surfer styles, boutique exclusives from major brands like Janie and Jack and Under Armour (something the tweens much-appreciate), and charming Daddy & Me or Big Bro/Little Bro sets perfect for family photos and special occasions. ParkerJoe also offers boys’ suits in Euro-cut and traditional styles, complete with dress shirts, jackets, tuxedo options, leather belts, ties and bowties, and dress socks and shoes. A personal touch? In-store measurements and custom orders with a quick two-week turnaround.

Texans will adore the shop’s Lone Star-inspired selections, including its best-selling Texas PJs from Nola Tawk, Astros-colored polos, Rodeo-ready Western wear, Texas-themed books and gifts, and adorable Wild Republic stuffed animals, including armadillos, alligators, and diamondback rattlesnakes. "We can’t keep the armadillos in stock!" Chelsea laughs. 

Located between Vuori and Paper Source, ParkerJoe’s nearly 2,000-square-foot space is designed for both shopping and gathering. A plush play area keeps kids entertained while parents can relax in cozy seating. They even added a beverage fridge at the front desk. "Come shop and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine, water, or soda while you browse!" Lisa says.

Folks can also shop online to find everything they sell in-store, with nationwide shopping and in-store pickup available.

In the future, they plan to host community gatherings in the space, from school fundraisers to author visits and small group events with shopping discounts. Next month, ParkerJoe is a proud sponsor of the Amazing May Campaign, a citywide fundraiser for Texas Children’s Hospital. In addition to in-store charitable promotions throughout the month, you can find them at the Rice Village Farmers Market on the first weekend of May, offering Wild Republic stuffies with the proceeds going straight to the cause.

While busy building their family legacy and gearing up for their flagship opening, Lisa and Chelsea still find time to enjoy Rice Village’s dynamic dining scene. "The restaurants here are phenomenal. I haven't found a bad one yet," says Lisa, favoring Hamsa. Chelsea, on the other hand, is on a Hopdoddy kick. "Their margaritas are amazing—but you have to stop at one!"

With a growing customer base and a strong team that “feels like family” behind them, ParkerJoe is just getting started. Lisa and Chelsea hope to expand their unique boys' boutique concept to more locations across Houston and beyond.

And as for Parker Joseph, the boutique’s namesake? Now seven years old, Chelsea smiles and says, "My son thinks he owns the place." Someday, he just might.

Street parking for ParkerJoe is available throughout Rice Village, along with free parking in the Rice Village Garage for up to two hours. 

ParkerJoe
5515 Kelvin Drive, Suite 95