Who Says Retail’s Dead? These Brick-and-Mortar Shops Are Alive, Well and Ready for Holiday Shoppers

Who Says Retail’s Dead? These Brick-and-Mortar Shops Are Alive, Well and Ready for Holiday Shoppers

This Wild West dress, $148, is one of several stylish finds at new Heights-area Oak & Sparrow.

HOUSTONIAN COURTNEY PELL Wilkerson has opened Pell 1990 (24811 Gosling Rd.) in The Woodlands. It’s a “wink to the ‘90s,” she says. Find posters and photos of ‘90s-era fashion icons and pop-culture moments; a custom neon sign featuring everyone’s favorite Clueless quote, “As if!"


And after nearly 12 years of operating as an e-commerce site, Golden Thread (9135 Katy Fwy.) opened its first retail storefront in Spring Branch, featuring the jewelry designs of former neonatal-ICU-nurse and native Houstonian Jennifer Welker.

Women’s boutique Pell 1990 has opened in The Woodlands.

In the Heights, ethical fashion boutique Oak + Sparrow (1051 Heights Blvd.) by Houstonian Elizabeth Berg touts fair-trade and eco-friendly clothing and accessories. And florist Phuong Nguyen opened her Casa Mi Bella Rosa (1815 Taylor St.) by-appointment storefront with floral arrangements and accessories and gifts for home. It is open to all on Nov. 27 — perfect timing for holiday shopping!

And go-to online giftshop Birdie’s has announced it will open a brick-and-mortar location in River Oaks, where customers can shop for unique, one-of-a-kind and buildable gift baskets for all occasions.


Birdie’s has gifts for adults and kids alike.

Style

Refreshing bites at Bloom & Bee; the famous French onion soup at Artisans (photo by Shane Dante)

THIS SUMMER HAS been uniquely brutal for the hospitality industry, with devastating losses from the derecho and Beryl. But a bright spot for many has been Houston Restaurant Weeks, the annual August event that gives foodies and restaurants alike a jolt of energy.

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Food

Two hand-stitched pillowcases based on drawings by Houston artists

TO KICK OFF the fall arts season, Andrew Durham Gallery is hosting a unique cross-cultural collaboration between 22 Houston and Texas artists, and 28 members of the sewing co-op and non-profit, Honduras Threads. Founded in 2001, Honduras Threads seeks to provide women in Honduran rural communities with the means to lift themselves out of poverty and support their families.

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Art + Entertainment