Wild Lilith: The Boutique at 13120 Highway 9

The first time I walked into Wild Lilith, Alexis handed me a glass of champagne to drink while I browsed.

The shop is small, but it does not approach shopping as a quick transaction. That first greeting made an ordinary stop feel like an occasion, which is close to the experience owner Alexis Monoogian wanted to create when she opened the boutique on July 4, 2025.

The champagne started on that opening day, for the obvious reason. "It was the fourth of July and a grand opening so champagne felt appropriate!" It stayed because of what she watched happen in the room. "Seeing the people gather, spend time together, hype each other up while they try clothes on, and just become a part of Wild Lilith, I needed it to become a thing, so I made it so! No catastrophes so far."

Alexis had wanted a women's clothing shop like it in downtown Boulder Creek for years: everyday pieces with personality, without what she saw as tourist-town pricing. Eventually, she opened it herself.

Her old line for the shop was "whimsical fashion for wild-hearted women," in the redwoods. She has since widened it. "We actually opened that saying up a little so it's not just for the ladies, it's for anyone with a wild heart. For me, that's anyone who dances through life following their heart, not afraid to break some rules and cause some chaos along the way."

First Fridays

Wild Lilith opens for First Friday, and there's a glass of champagne for anyone of drinking age who comes in to chat. It is the one evening a month the shop stays open late.

What's on the racks

Alexis says people sometimes mistake Wild Lilith for a secondhand shop. The clothing is new, apart from the upcycled collection from Monique's Funky Stuff.

On the racks, you'll find flowy shapes, stretch fabrics and breathable cottons. Some pieces come from fair trade and ethically run vendors, and some are found further afield. Local brands Zig Zag and Avatar are on the racks too.

The part of the first year that surprised Alexis was how far into making things she went. "I hadn't quite anticipated how much I would get into the creative side of things, and actually start designing my own items." The shop now carries shirts with her designs on them, and graphic shirts she custom cuts. Stickers, journals and planners are in progress.

The makers it carries

Alongside Monique's Funky Stuff, the shop stocks Miner's Treasures, Santa Cruz Mountain Maid, Espina, Dorella Troup Art and Old 831. Espina is Nina Espinoza's line of jewelry, soaps, candles and beard oil, and Wild Lilith has said it is the first store to carry it. Dorella Troup's artwork depicts Santa Cruz County, and Miner's Treasures makes earrings.

Espina arrived through a conversation at a pop-up. "I met Nina's mom at a pop up I was doing at Haven Play Lounge in Scotts Valley and she put us in touch as she liked the other items I was selling." Past that, the filter is loose. "Generally, I look for products that are fun, interesting, locally made or sourced, and beyond that I'm open to try most things in the store. It's just great to be able to give our local creatives a spot they can stock their wares on a regular basis."

Every vendor in the shop so far is a woman running her own business, which Alexis says she is glad about without treating it as a rule. "We are open to all who have the spirit of Wild Lilith."

The library and the shop

Alexis is a member of the Boulder Creek Friends group for the branch library, and treasurer of Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, the county-wide organization. She does not claim the two halves feed each other. "The library and the Friends don't really feed each other, but they do both provide fun ways to stay involved with the local community."

At a glance

• Where: 13120 Highway 9, downtown Boulder Creek, on the same block as Air & Fire and Mac's Place.
• Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 to 4:00, Wednesday 11:30 to 6:00, Friday 12:00 to 7:00, Saturday 11:00 to 6:00. Closed Sunday and Monday, and closed every day from 1:15 to 2:15 for lunch. Call 831-970-1926.
• Online: no website. Find it on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Stock changes constantly, so anything current will be on the shop's own channels.

The Boulder Creek Questions

Her perfect day in Boulder Creek: A stroll around Junction Park, then her own invention at the Tree House Cafe, the avocado toast and the lox bagel combined into one thing. A nose around Mac's, "where I will no doubt end up buying something I have no business buying." Brow maintenance and a chat with Ashleigh at Redwood Mountain Spa, a salted caramel mocha from Jenna Sue's, a look in on her neighbors Good Vibes and Springygirl, then Red Pearl and live music at Joe's.

Her favorite hidden gem: Red Pearl, which she is not sure counts. "I think all us locals know that Red Pearl is the bomb, but for the visitors they're probably not expecting it at all! I now have a friend that comes down from San Jose just to go there, she pretends she comes to see me, but it's lies!"

Her advice for a new neighbor: "Get involved! There is so much happening in Boulder Creek, and so many kind, helpful people but you have to come and get involved. Once you do, you will be shocked at how little you actually need to head out of the valley." Then the standard valley advice: keep your pantry stocked, get a generator, know your neighbors.

The essential shops guide covers the rest of the downtown row. If the hours or the lines carried here have changed, tell us.