About Us
Joe & Liz O'Brien opened Monkey's Uncle in July 2013 with a vision of creating a fun store for children of all ages to enjoy while visiting Historic Downtown Beaufort, SC.
June 19, 2013 Beaufort Gazette/Island Packet: "Monkey's Uncle, Independent Toy Store Readying for Business"
November 27, 2013 WTOC News: "Beaufort Businesses Prep for Big Shopping Days"
October 18, 2014 Eat Sleep Play Beaufort "Meet the O’Briens and Monkey’s Uncle: Where a love for Beaufort meets a love for fun”
November 21, 2016 Beaufort Today: "Shop Small & Local on Saturday"
May 29, 2018 Beaufort Gazette/Island Packet: "Popular Downtown Beaufort Store on the Move"
June 19, 2013 Beaufort Gazette/Island Packet: "Monkey's Uncle, Independent Toy Store Readying for Business"
November 27, 2013 WTOC News: "Beaufort Businesses Prep for Big Shopping Days"
October 18, 2014 Eat Sleep Play Beaufort "Meet the O’Briens and Monkey’s Uncle: Where a love for Beaufort meets a love for fun”
November 21, 2016 Beaufort Today: "Shop Small & Local on Saturday"
May 29, 2018 Beaufort Gazette/Island Packet: "Popular Downtown Beaufort Store on the Move"
The Story Behind Our Monkey
The Name: Weezie Gibson, Liz's mom, came up with the store's name during a late evening brainstorming session sometime in May of 2013. We were riffing on the word "uncle" (based on a store we loved in Chicago called Uncle Fun and the fact that no one is more fun to a child than an uncle with no children,) and Weezie nailed it.
The Logo: We knew we had to have a logo that reflected the spirit of the store. We hired SCAD professor and illustration guru Ryan Sanchez to design our beloved MUMU monkey logo, and he suggested we have our two children, Emmett and Nora, write “Monkey’s Uncle” in black Sharpie a few times on a piece of paper. Ryan then created the name piece of the logo from their combined handwriting samples. We love that the sign is literally a part of our family and hope that our love for the store shows every time you visit Monkey’s Uncle. We are truly grateful for our customers.
The Logo: We knew we had to have a logo that reflected the spirit of the store. We hired SCAD professor and illustration guru Ryan Sanchez to design our beloved MUMU monkey logo, and he suggested we have our two children, Emmett and Nora, write “Monkey’s Uncle” in black Sharpie a few times on a piece of paper. Ryan then created the name piece of the logo from their combined handwriting samples. We love that the sign is literally a part of our family and hope that our love for the store shows every time you visit Monkey’s Uncle. We are truly grateful for our customers.
Joe and Liz O'Brien
