Meet Rising Star Boutique’s Kelly & Kelly
Virtually every guy I know has shopped at Blue Moon or New Moon (soon to be Rising Star) at some point. It was the place you went when you needed something your partner would love—clothing, jewelry, books, cards, something earthy, something elegant, or something just plain silly. A small token that said I love you, I appreciate you, or, in my case more often than not, I’m not very good at shopping, but I’m trying.
And then there was the wrapping. The wrapping was art. The boxes were art. The whole experience made even the most last-minute, panic-driven purchase feel intentional and heartfelt. Sometimes you went in because you wanted to celebrate someone. Sometimes you went in because you needed to apologize. And let’s be honest—nothing speeds up the forgiveness process like a gift chosen with care.
It was also one of the first places many local children learned the importance of showing appreciation with a thoughtful gift—kids picking something out for a parent or grandparent, students choosing a small thank-you for a teacher. These were early lessons in gratitude, generosity, and the joy of giving.
Shops like Rising Star Boutique keep a community stitched together. They give us a place to express affection, humor, and humanity. They keep alive the small rituals that make a town feel like a town. That’s the magic Kelly & Kelly are carrying forward. That’s also the thread connecting the past to the present. And that’s why this reopening matters so deeply to Randolph.
Comfortably Changing
If you’ve lived in Randolph long enough, you know the store. For decades, this little stretch of Main Street has been a place where people wandered in for a gift, a piece of clothing that felt like “them,” or simply a moment of calm in the middle of a hard day. It became part of the rhythm of the town—holidays, birthdays, retail therapy, and the quiet comfort of familiar faces.
In a world that seems to reinvent itself every five minutes, there’s something grounding about a place that doesn’t need to. A place that stays familiar, steady, and true to its purpose. Rising Star Boutique is stepping into that role—not by chasing trends, but by honoring what already works.
And no one understands that better than Kelly Hill and Kelly Fullam, affectionately known as Kelly & Kelly. Their new venture is less a reinvention and more a continuation of a story they’ve lived for decades.
The lineage is simple and well-known: first Jan, then Brigitta, and now Kelly & Kelly. Jan ran the store for decades and is like family to both women—Hill has been shopping there for 40 years, and Fullam worked for Brigitta. When Jan eventually passed the store to Brigitta, she carried its spirit forward, and she continues to support the Kellys as they take the next step.
The Kellys are honoring that lineage in a way that feels uniquely Randolph: “Jan Days” and “Cameo Days,” in which Jan and Brigitta will return to the floor to reconnect with the community that loves them. As Hill put it, “Jan does therapy.”
A Fresh Space With Familiar Warmth
The name Rising Star Boutique came from Fullam, who wanted something that captured new beginnings while still honoring the celestial lineage of Blue Moon and New Moon. It’s a name that signals continuity as much as change—a gentle evolution rather than a reinvention.
Walk by the storefront and you’ll notice something immediately: light.
The Kellys opened up the windows, removed the front racks, and created a space that feels airy, earthy, and welcoming. There’s a couch—already claimed by at least one regular—because they want people to come in and stay, not just shop. As Hill put it, “We wanted it to be really inviting and cozy and earthy.”
That commitment to creating a warm, open, visually engaging space extends to the storefront itself. Erica Robinson, RACDC’s Downtown Program Manager, is working with a consultant to help design window displays that showcase the boutique in the most eye-catching, community-minded way possible. It’s a thoughtful collaboration aimed at making sure Rising Star’s windows reflect the heart of the store and draw people in from the sidewalk—an important part of keeping Main Street vibrant.
Even with the renovations, the store still carries that unmistakable scent—the incense, the warmth, the calm. “It still has the smell,” Fullam laughed.
As for the clothing, Rising Star will continue offering the styles people loved—bohemian, comfortable, versatile pieces from brands like Prairie Cotton and Parsley & Sage—while also bringing in new items that reflect the Kellys’ different tastes.
Keeping Our Pants, and Dresses, On
One of the most exciting additions is something Randolph has needed for years: tailoring services.
Fullam’s friend—an experienced artisan tailor—will offer alterations and custom work from the back of the shop. Hemming pants, adjusting dresses, repairing clothing—services that too often required leaving town—will now be available right on Main Street.
“It’s not only for our clothing that doesn’t fit quite right,” Fullam explained. “It’s for people who are looking.”
Keeping that work local strengthens the economy and supports the artisans who live among us.
The Kellys are quick to acknowledge the people who helped make this possible. Jan and Chris, who rent the space, gave them their first month free, and a friend, Chuck Davis, stepped in with essential startup financing. Morgan (Hill’s partner) has “done everything in here,” from removing racks to tackling the floors, leaving his mark on every corner of the shop. And throughout the renovation, customers have stopped by with encouragement, stories, and the kind of community warmth that has always defined this space.
Everything about this venture reflects Randolph at its best—neighbors stepping in for one another in the quiet, everyday ways that keep a town strong. Rising Star Boutique is aiming for an early-March opening, though supply chains may shift the timeline slightly. But whether it’s the first week of March or a little later, the anticipation is already here. Thank you, Kelly and Kelly—Randolph appreciates you so much!
