Retail / Speciality Shops, Houston

Great place if you are a space junkie! This place has evrything you can think of from ties and baby clothes to toys and mission patches. I have to add the fact that the prices are a little cheaper than what you would find at Space Traders at JSC!

The shopping strip is one of the nicer ones.
It's located about 1 mile from the Galleria inside the 610 loop on Westheimer.

It's got a large Central Market supermarket, a good Williams Sonoma kitchen shop, a large Crate and Barrel (a bit like Habitat in the UK) and lots of other more upmarket shops (not forgetting the usual brands such as GAP and Banana Rep).

What to buy: Buy whatever takes your fancy!

Buy make sure your credit card will handle it!

What to pay: It's a more expensive shopping experience than normal!

I happened to find this place when I was looking for paper lanterns. Inside it looks like a warehouse crammed with cheap junk. But along the back wall are a bunch of wedding dresses! In fact, I found the "Alfred Angelo" dress that I had seen at Bridesmart the day before! It was EXACTLY the same dress, only it was $178 here rather than $649.

What to buy: Bridal shops have to get their items from a warehouse somewhere. I think I might have found one of the local wholesalers. Of course there is no service and the dressing room is really a closet with a dinky mirror.. but wouldn't you rather save $400 than have some snotty clerk up your butt with a 3 way mirror?

What to pay: Less than $200 for a WEDDING DRESS!

The area took shape in 1937 with the construction of Rice Food Market. Situated next to Rice University and the Texas Medical Center in one of Houston's most affluent neighborhoods, the district attracts an intriguing mix of West U yuppies, college students and Montrose bohos.

What to buy: More than 450 retailers reside in this longstanding, but repeatedly refreshed shopping center. In the Village, you can buy clothes, get a manicure, shop for furniture, browse for books, dine delightfully and even catch a play. Shops range from national favorites Banana Republic and Urban Outfitters to local boutiques like the Blue Hand. Main Street Theater and the music venue Ovations add some class. Whether you like Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cuban or Italian food, count on an interesting dining experience. You can go the restaurant chain route or try spots unique to Houston, like Shiva's, Nit Noi, Istanbul and Kahn's Deli.

In each city we visit we buy a T shirt by the Hard Rock Cafe.

In Houston, the HRC is in the Theatre District

Open : 10AM- 11PM (excepted Friday & saturday : 1AM)

No free parking.