By Laura Landsbaum
The Woodlands is known for its plentiful shopping options and there are few better places to do your holiday shopping in Texas. Especially if you want to shop local. While high-end national stores abound, they are complemented by countless small businesses with local ownership in The Woodlands. Many of these smaller stores make for great gift discovering, with the kind of unique presents everyone on your list will remember just waiting to be found.
Here are some Great Places to Shop Local In The Woodlands:
Bowtique
Bowtique brings shoppers the latest fashion trends with the highest quality materials. Founded by Sabina Kupillas in 2022, Bowtique’s goal is for shoppers to leave feeling confident and beautiful. Kupollas has curated a huge variety of fashionable items, from classic dresses that can be worn to work to casual wear that is ideal for a weekend getaway.
Bowtique carries unique styles from designers across the globe. An important aspect of Kupillas’ vision is that she is committed to offering stylish options for women of all budgets and body types.
950 Hughes Landing Boulevard, suite 1225, The Woodlands
Brookwood
The Brookwood store offers a variety of handcrafted items and seasonal gifts created by citizens of the Brookwood Community. Brookwood is a nonprofit educational, residential and entrepreneurial haven for adults with disabilities. While based in Brookshire, Brookwood has satellite sites located throughout the Houston area.
The store carries hand-crafted candles, stone casts, jewelry, ornaments and holiday decorations.
1950 Hughes Landing Boulevard, Suite E200, The Woodlands
Kriser’s Natural Pet
With everything you need for a happy animal friend — from food to toys and treats — Kriser’s is a self-described “community of experts” on everything from pet nutrition to grooming. Behaviorists dedicated to holistic pet wellness are also on staff. And your pet doesn’t have to miss any holiday fun. Kriser’s has dog nog tastings and pet photos with Santa on tap for December.
1925 Hughes Landing Boulevard, The Woodlands
Village Books
Village Books is owned by Teresa Kenney, a local writer and magazine editor. The store offers new books in both hardback and paperback, distinctive gift items and gift certificates. It also puts on a full schedule of events and activities, including multilingual children’s story hours, author readings, classes, workshops and special events. Shoppers might bump into the shop’s dog Oso.
9955 Woodlands Parkway Suite F, The Woodlands
Tumbleweeds and Notions
With a goal of “bringing whimsy to The Woodlands through a sweet and surprising selection of unique gifts, stationery and home decor,” this locally owned gift shop has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for kitchen linens or gourmet treats, puzzles and games or paper goods, you can find it at Tumbleweeds and Notions.
This local shop is loaded up with holiday decor this time of year. And if you’re looking to get an early start on next year, you find the perfect 2024 calendar or day planner too.
8021 Research Forest Drive.Suite D, The Woodlands
Piney Rose
Piney Rose Flowers and Gifts is owned by locals Cullen and Taylor Handfelt. A full service floral design studio and more, Piney Rose offers daily deliveries in The Woodlands area for all occasions and subscriptions for local flower lovers and companies. Bath and body products, a selection of jewelry and devotional items also await.
2417 Research Forest Drive unit B, The Woodlands
Robichau’s Jewelry
Robichau’s Jewelry is a family-owned and operated jewelry store that has been in The Woodlands for more than 30 years. This second generation full-service jeweler carries bridal jewelry, several lines of fine jewelry, watches and more. Robichau repairs and appraises jewelry — and create custom jewelry too.
Owners Matt and John Robichau are usually at the store, and their goal of “ treating customers with the utmost respect while offering high quality jewelry at a fair price” comes through.
4775 W. Panther Creek Parkway, Suite 245, The Woodlands
Learning Express
This Alden Bridge Village store is under new, local ownership and Jenny Kuten is there to provide toy suggestions for kids of all ages. Kuten and her staff are committed to helping shoppers find the perfect toy for every occasion. They offer free gift wrapping, free personalization, free in-store events and a free birthday box gift registry program. Learning Express carries a complete line of classic toys and new favorites.
8000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands
Karden Lane Boutique
With a motto of “Building Confidence through Beauty,” local resident Mindy Harmon’s Karden Lane Boutique is an outgrowth of her work as a photographer. With plus sizes through 3X, Harmon’s team “believes all women are beautiful regardless of age, ethnicity, or status.” Karden Lane carries clothing, including dresses, athletic wear and denim for all. Consuela bags also beckon — from cosmetic bags to totes.
25144 Grogans Park Drive, The Woodlands
Jen Loves Paper
Jen Loves Paper is a one-stop party-planning destination. Local resident and owner Jen McDonald curates paper goods, party supplies and table-top decorations. She also brings extensive experience ordering custom goods to make a party pop. McDonald even has a special line of wrapping paper and decorations that she’s illustrated herself.
This store is something of a hometown hit tucked in at the corner of 1488 and Kuykendahl. With a true party guru ready to guide you through the process and help anyone pull together a picture perfect party from the store’s shelves.
3759 FM 1488 Suite 450, The Woodlands
With so many unique locally owned shops, you never need to leave The Woodlands to find the perfect holiday gifts.