The location places one of Austin’s most recognizable brands in front of millions of travelers each year, offering jewelry and accessories rooted in Texas heritage, reflecting a broader effort by airport officials to showcase homegrown retailers like Amy’s Ice Cream and BookPeople.
The opening comes amid a period of transition for Kendra Scott’s leadership team. The company announced Tuesday that Chris Blakeslee has been named chief executive officer, following the departure of former CEO Tom Nolan last summer. Scott, the company’s founder who served as interim CEO after Nolan’s exit, will remain with the company as chief visionary officer and majority shareholder.
Blakeslee, who will officially begin his role on Jan. 12, most recently served as president of Athleta and previously held the same position at Alo.
In Austin, Scott operates several brick-and-mortar locations, including the brand’s flagship store on South Congress Avenue, as well as stores at The Domain and on North Lamar Boulevard. The company’s headquarters and design roots remain in the city, where Scott first launched the business from a spare bedroom with a $500 investment, selling her initial collection to local boutiques.
Since then, the brand has expanded its offerings to include fine jewelry, eyewear, watches, home accessories and, more recently, cowboy boots. It also operates Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott, a western-inspired line with locations in Austin, Dallas and Houston.