If you ever run into Flea Style founder Brittany Cobb at a market, follow her. She’ll lead you right to the good stuff. Credit years of practice. The So Cal native grew up sleuthing fairs, antique malls, and swap meets.
“When I moved to Texas for college, I really missed that way of shopping,” she said. Which is why, after settling in Dallas, Cobb decided to start her own version.
“At the time, I was a lifestyle editor and had hundreds of creatives at my fingertips. It was kismet for starting a market.”
The Dallas Flea debuted in 2009 with a dual mission: To support small businesses and unique style. “That was always my north star and a huge part of our success,” she said.
Not long after, Cobb left her journalism job for full-time entrepreneurship. The Dallas Flea morphed into Flea Style, a retail mecca for perennially cool girls, housed in a historical 5,000-square-foot building in Deep Ellum.
“I never had a rigid idea of what it was going to be. I was always open to ideas, failing fast, and staying really curious.”
Today, there are five brick-and-mortar Flea Styles, ranging in size from 300-square-feet (Fort Worth’s Hotel Drover) to 6,100-square-feet (The Star in Frisco). Cobb takes a common-sense approach to expansion: “We want to be where our customers are. That looks different in every market. Sometimes we look for a killer lease deal. Other times we’ve taken risks for places we know the traffic patterns are spot-on for our product assortment.”
The merchandise mix shares one commonality: It all screams “Brittany” – signature hats (you seldom see her without one), vintage cowboy boots, and Boho-inspired fashion.
Multiple new locations are on the horizon. Along with stores in Prosper and the Dallas Farmer’s Market, Flea Style will open its first out of state location in Louisville, Kentucky.
“As a fast-growth small business, the plan changes daily,” said Cobb. I don’t know where we’ll be in five to 10 years, but we’ll surely have more locations in Texas and states that love what we do!”
We asked. Brittany answered.
Describe your personal style: I’m a maximalist in everything I do. My style is very layered, bohemian, and tells a story. You’ll never see me leave the house in a slip dress and ponytail. I’m going to have on at least three pieces, a hat, stacks of jewelry and an oversized bag to carry all my things.
Must-have fashion item: My vintage men’s Rolex. I still use a watch to tell time.
Favorite thing you sell: Hats. There’s nothing better than watching our customers design the hat of their dreams.
Best advice you’ve ever received: “Crawl, walk, run.” We use this motto daily in everything we do at Flea Style, especially when starting a new project.
What’s on your bucket list? Professionally, I’d love a store in my home state of California. Personally, a ranch in Texas for my kids and me to enjoy during our free time.
