Kids Clothing Store Fave Finds a New Permanent Home in Fort Worth — and Ballet Takes Over the Lawn

A children’s clothing store turned short term pop-up shop at The Shops at Clearfork has decided to put down permanent roots in the Fort Worth shopping mecca. Collins + Conley will open the doors to its new permanent storefront at 5254 Monahans Avenue this Friday, June 24 — and the grand opening fun will last through the entire weekend.

Collins + Conley’s new space is just across the street from its former pop-up location, between Tumi and Climate, in the space that Southern-style master Billy Reid’s first Fort Worth store recently vacated. (We covered Billy Reid’s opening at Clearfork in 2019 with an exclusive PaperCity interview, but he’s gone now.)

Collins + Conley is a family-owned boutique offering a collection of baby and kids clothes, accessories and gifts. It features many popular children’s brands. These include Kozi & Co onesies, Pink Chicken’s bouncing baby bubbles, WeeFarers’ classic sunglasses and precious needlepoint caps from Harding-Lane. The store carries more than 40 different brands overall.

The growing biz first came onto the scene as an online-only shopping experience in 2019, before opening its first storefront as a one-year pop-up shop at Clearfork. It’s clearly been a hit, and now that shoppers have found them, owners Ashley Watten and Sarah Leafgren are not giving up this prime Fort Worth shopping location (moving just across the street).

While they continue to operate the website and ship anywhere in the United States, the new Collins + Conley storefront is an enchanting space to visit.

The grand opening celebrations begin this Friday, June 24, with Melt Ice Creams, and it runs through Sunday with story times and face painting all on tap. Collins + Conley will be partnering with other small businesses to offer giveaways and plans to serve drinks and food throughout the weekend. Shoppers and devotees can RSVP to specific grand opening events here.

Ballet Pointes Joins Collins + Conley

Collins + Conley’s debut is not the only thing happening at The Shops at Clearfork. Far from it.

Taking on its 40th annual summer dance concert, Fort Worth’s Ballet Concerto is putting on a free four day concert series. And the third performance will take place on the lawn at The Shops at Clearfork.

While these ballet performances are free, the Clearfork evening will include a silent auction and a 50/50 game supporting the Fort Worth-based dance organization Ballet Concerto.

The show will feature local and national talent with dancers and choreographers from all over the world. Spanish dance master Luis Montero is returning to restage his Bolero. Fans will also be treated to the classic Les Sylphides with choreography by Michel Fokine and a new piece with choreography by Ballet Concerto resident Elise Lavallee.

If you plan ahead, you can enjoy a picnic dinner on the lawn with a to-go order from one of Clearfork’s restaurants. There will be free seating on the lawn, as well as reserved seating which starts at $50. Reserved table seating costs $250 for four people.

Visit balletconcerto.com to reserve seating or view special takeout menu restaurant items. The Shops at Clearfork is a Fort Worth place to be this weekend. As usual.