A Hub for Love & The Perfect Dress

Lubbock native Katie Joiner moved to Austin to experience life outside of her hometown. While she was working at Blue Bridal Boutique, she met brides from the 806 who traveled across the state in search of their perfect wedding dress. A shared bond and love for growing up in Lubbock sparked conversations that changed the way Katie thought about the Lubbock she knew growing up.  

A place she felt lacked the experiences she needed was now a growing metro of creativity and opportunity. Wanting to be a part of that excitement, in August 2019 Katie and her husband, Evan, decided to move back to the “Hub City.” Her one condition: Katie wanted to open her own bridal boutique.

Just two months after moving back, she opened Lillie’s Bridal Boutique, named after her grandmother who shared a love for fashion and an entrepreneurial spirit. The vision for this local shop was to marry Katie’s love of fashion and people with the best quality dresses and customer service experience possible. 

After expanding in November 2020, Lillie’s Bridal Boutique offers the perfect dress for brides looking to say ‘I do’ soon, with off-the-rack selections, as well as a wide-ranging selection for brides with a longer timeline looking to make a custom order. 

If starting a business and expanding during a pandemic wasn’t busy enough, the Joiners welcomed a son, Leeland, in the midst of all the craze. Katie credits her family and the support of the community of Lubbock for the success of her small business.

“The community here is amazing when it comes to supporting local business,” Katie said. People are really excited to go to a smaller boutique or a smaller restaurant that is locally owned. And, small business owners are doing things really well.” 

Along with the community’s support, Katie found the cost of living here to be ideal. The commute was 15 minutes, not an hour to an hour and a half like in her previous city. And, she and her husband purchased their first home within a year of moving to Lubbock.  

“Just practically we were excited to be here,” Katie mentioned. “Once we moved, it had only been a week and I felt like I was breathing easier. I felt like I was more relaxed, and that is the kind of life I’d rather live. It just is.” 

Thinking about moving back to the LBK? Learn more about Katie’s story and why life is better in Lubbock at lubbockeda.org. 

“Lubbock is that city where people are friendly. We’ve been named the friendliest city in the past.”

Latrelle Joy
Lubbock Councilwoman