Ten Thousand Villages: Shop Globally-Sourced, Fair-Trade Crafts in Houston

You know you've got something special when you can combine beautiful artisan-made items with the satisfaction of knowing that your purchases are supporting ethical, sustainable production. And that's exactly what you'll get at Ten Thousand Villages, a national retailer with a location here in Houston.

As you browse around the store, you'll see huge variety in the style of items produced in different nations from around the globe. Admire an African stoneware place setting or a Guatemalan sculpture crafted out of salvaged aluminum scraps. Run your fingers across the fine beadwork adorning a brightly colored table runner, or select a fruit basket woven out of rushes. Feel free to inquire about the origins of any object that interests you as the staff at this shop are typically very knowledgeable about the craftwork that goes into each object, as well as the challenges faced by the communities where the items are produced.

Ten Thousand Villages
2424A Rice Boulevard
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 533-1000
www.tenthousandvillages.com/houston
www.yelp.com/biz/ten-thousand-villages-houston

House of Coffee Beans: Customize Your Morning Brew

Coffee aficionados know that different beans and roasting styles create distinctly different tastes, and that's where House of Coffee Beans steps in. Since 1973, House of Coffee Beans has been roasting all its own beans, in small, hand-tended batches, using a vintage German roaster.

This Houston shop offers dozens of different bean varieties, all of which are available to grind and brew at home. Pick up a pound of classic French roast, or treat yourself to one of the shop's custom flavored coffees, like creme brulee, vanilla nut cream, or hazelnut. During the holiday season you can even get unique holiday blends that evoke the flavors of egg nog, gingerbread, or pumpkin pie. If you consider yourself to be a more educated coffee drinker, you'll appreciate the non-flavored, shade-grown, single estate beans in varieties like Ethiopia Sidamo, Sumatra Mandheling, and Celebes Toraja.

House of Coffee Beans
2348 Bissonnet Street
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 524-0057
www.houseofcoffeebeans.com
www.yelp.com/biz/house-of-coffee-beans-houston

Grab Groceries or Dinner at Central Market

Foodies and gourmands will be in all their glory at Central Market in Houston. The market carries an impressive number of imported and domestic groceries, including olive oils, meats, cheeses, and produce. In addition, the store offers weekly specials, prepared dinners for two, overstuffed sandwiches and catering.

If you like to cook, Central Market's hands-on cooking school holds classes on everything from the basics to more advanced techniques with themes such as A French Feast, Indulgent Dinners, Seasonal Suppers, and the Basics of Butchering. Private classes can also be booked for a personal, more intimate event. Check out the cooking school schedule at Central Market's website for the monthly line-up. Finally, don't skip out on the flower department overflowing with beautiful blooms and unique complementary greens. The market is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

Central Market
3815 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 386-1700
www.centralmarket.com/Home
www.yelp.com/biz/central-market-houston-houston

Discover Your New Favorite Artist at Off the Wall Gallery

Located on the first floor of The Galleria, Off the Wall Gallery is a high-end art gallery specializing in what owner Mimi Sperber calls "Urban Eclecticism." This genre of art is a blend of artistic elements believed to nourish "today's urban souls."

Family-owned and -operated for over three decades, Off the Wall houses 4,600 square feet of original art, sculpture, and prints by mid-level career from all over the world. Expert staff is on hand to introduce collectors and novices to their favorite new artists, and the gallery frequently plays host to temporary exhibits, as well. Past exhibits have displayed pieces by famous artists like Dali, Matisse, Picasso, Manet, and Renoir.

Situated near Neiman Marcus, Off the Wall Gallery is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Off the Wall Gallery
5015 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 871-0940
www.offthewallgallery.com
www.yelp.com/biz/off-the-wall-gallery-houston

Exotic Creatures Make Their Home at Cockrell Butterfly Center

Immerse yourself in the natural habitat of butterflies at the Cockrell Butterfly Center housed within The Houston Museum of Natural Science. The distinctive sanctuary is made up of three fascinating levels for your enjoyment and education.

The Rainforest Conservatory encases a 50-foot waterfall within a manmade tropical paradise filled with thousands of imported exotic butterflies, plants, and unique arthropods from around the world. In Chrysalis Corner, watch the transformation of butterflies as they develop and grow. On the lower level, explore an entomologist's lab and investigate a number of insects up close. Before you go, grab a treat from the Insect Vending Machine featuring snacks made from insects that are popular in many cultures around the world. The museum also has a fun, interactive playground for the younger set with an insect area, a giant beehive and puzzles.

Cockrell Butterfly Center
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Drive
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 639-4629
www.hmns.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=8
www.yelp.com/biz/cockrell-butterfly-center-houston

Find a One-of-a-Kind Gift at Space Montrose

Shopping for a unique gift or piece of art just became a lot more fun at Space Montrose in Houston. The gallery showcases more than 130 works by local and regional artists and includes handcrafted art, clothing, housewares and jewelry. The airy store is warm and welcoming, encouraging you to stay a while to explore the many facets of the space filled with a variety of special pieces.

From handmade cards, toys, and hand-dipped candles to t-shirts, scarves, and necklaces, the works are one-of-a-kind. Stop by regularly as new artists are always being brought in by the owners, or something you missed might catch your eye. Some of the featured artists include Tim Doyle, Lisa Chow, and Poppy and Fern. The store is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Space Montrose
1706 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77098
(832) 649-5743
www.spacemontrose.com
www.yelp.com/biz/space-montrose-houston-2

Texas Rock Gym: Reach the Summit

If you've ever wanted to try rock climbing, then Texas Rock Gym is one place you won't want to miss. This gym in northwestern Houston caters to the very different needs of both families looking for an afternoon of fun and experienced climbers seeking to stay sharp and improve their skills.

For those who are new to climbing, the gym offers a brief introductory course that will get you started, as well as several beginner walls to practice upon. If you're an experienced climber, you'll find more difficult walls and an area for straight bouldering. Gym regulars say that the climb paths are changed regularly, so you continue to be challenged with every visit. The award-winning facility also offers 42 top-rope stations for all levels, five Tru-Blue Auto-Belay stations, and a lead arch and extended lead areas.

You can also schedule your team-building event or birthday party at Texas Rock Gym.

Texas Rock Gym
1526 Campbell Road
Houston, TX 77055
(713) 973-7625
www.texasrockgym.com
www.yelp.com/biz/texas-rock-gym-houston-2

Saint Arnold Brewing Company: Houston’s Oldest Microbrewery

Tap into your passion for craft beers at Saint Arnold Brewing Company. Houston's first microbrewery, Saint Arnold opened in 1994 and has since become a much-loved and respected beer label with dozens of brews to its name. In fact, the brewery's famous Fancy Lawnmower beer, a smooth German-style Kolsch, has become a staple of craft beer pubs across the country.

The small staff at Saint Arnold truly loves their beer and the community that surrounds it, offering weekly tours and hosting special events, such as the annual Feast of Saint Arnold, an enormous fundraiser that features a four course meal of beef, pork, fish, and poultry alongside seasonal and year-round brews. Stop by the modern warehouse brewery for a taste of what’s in the kegs and pick up a few souvenirs and bottles of your favorite beers to take home with you.

Saint Arnold Brewing Company
2000 Lyons Avenue
Houston, TX 77020
(713) 686-9494
www.saintarnold.com/tours/index.html
www.yelp.com/biz/saint-arnold-brewing-company-houston

Houston Dairymaids: A Gourmet Cheese Shop

Cheeses of all varieties can be found at Houston Dairymaids, a specialty cheese shop on Airline Drive. For the past seven years, Houston Dairymaids has brought local, hand-made cheeses unlike any other to the city’s specialty foods community, seeking out products made from unpasteurized milk to offer customers excellence in flavor. Working strictly with Texas cheesemakers sets this market apart from other specialty food stores, giving recognition to some of the state’s best cheesemakers.

Houston Dairymaids is open Tuesdays through Sundays to sell cheese, honey, Slow-Dough breads, fine wines, and craft beers. Learn the subtle differences between Scarmoza and Mozzarella or which cheeses pair well with your favorite wines. Houston Dairymaids is a great place to indulge in your passion for delicious dairy products while you stock up on your favorites or pick up a few to give as gifts.

Houston Dairymaids
2201 Airline Drive
Houston, TX 77009
(713) 880-4800
www.houstondairymaids.com
www.yelp.com/biz/houston-dairymaids-houston-2

Cafe Dolce Gelato: Sweet Treats in Houston

Cafe Dolce Gelato, located on the second level of The Galleria near Nordstrom, serves artisan gelato and sorbetto made from scratch, plus grilled panini sandwiches, and cappuccino and espresso. The Italian counterpart to American ice cream, Italian gelato is a dense frozen dessert that boasts less fat than the ice cream we're accustomed to here in the States.

Here, gelato and sorbetto (dairy-free sorbet) are made in-house, using organic whole milk, real sugar, fresh fruit, and ingredients imported straight from Italy. Flavors include Nutella, coconut, salted caramel, hazelnut, roasted almond, and strawberry cheesecake, all of which can be served in a cup or a waffle cone. For a treat that's a little less chilly, opt for the tiramisu. The tiramisu at Cafe Dolce Gelato is made in-house every day using fresh whipped cream.

Cafe Dolce Gelato is open Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Cafe Dolce Gelato
The Galleria
5135 West Alabama
Houston, Texas 77056
(713) 965-9987
http://www.cafedolcegelato.com/index.html
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-dolce-gelato-houston

Pin It on Pinterest