The world feels different this year, but the spirit of giving is alive and well this holiday season. That means it's time to make your way through your holiday shopping list, and with a little help from Memorial District retailers, you can find wonderful presents to make the season bright. CITYCENTRE, Memorial City, Town and Country Village, and Village Plaza have a fantastic array of shops to visit to find gifts for the whole family.
For Children
If your child is a video gamer, Target offers the latest games and hardware. Nintendo Switch is a popular device that you can take anywhere and everywhere, so it's first-rate portable gaming for the kiddos. GameStop also offers the latest in video games. It also has the newest collectible Funko pop characters and funky T-shirts for fans of video games like Super Mario.
Is your child obsessed with everything Disney? Make sure the Disney Store at Memorial City is your first stop. They have plush toys, action figures, movies, toys, clothing, home décor, and more. You will find everything you need for your little Disney fan, and you will have a chance to pop in and relive some childhood moments. They even have cute, kitschy items like this Star Wars-inspired waffle maker.
This is the wa...ffle maker. https://t.co/eNfnpNZAn8 #MandoMondays pic.twitter.com/I458U3Hycr
— Disney Store (@shopDisney) December 7, 2020
Are you looking for a memorable, heartwarming gift? Build-a-Bear Workshop helps you pick and stuff a plush toy in the cutest way. It's a fun way to put all your love into a gift for your child. Plus, you can even add a little heart inside every toy to make it extra special. They even have festive favorites available, like these reindeer.
These festive favorites are on a mission to share holiday cheer! Join the Merry Mission and shop our hottest gifts in stores and online today!
US: https://t.co/ausoX6kgDk
UK: https://t.co/RlObXIgiL1 pic.twitter.com/JXXi0tBRiB— buildabear (@buildabear) December 4, 2020
For Women
Sephora has all the big names in luxury self-care. This year's gift sets are colorful and filled with items to excite. You can find skincare, haircare, perfumes, makeup, and more. Favorites include Sephora's must-have makeup set, which includes mini versions of products perfect for trying out new things without fully committing. Laneige rolled out a Water Wonderland skincare set with a sleeping mask, moisturizer, lip mask, and face mist. Is the woman in your life looking for perfume? Hermes has a mini set of their best fragrances for less than $50. Visit Sephora at Memorial City and Sephora at CITYCENTRE, and remember that stores might have sets with prices different from what you see online.
If you are staying home more, Anthropologie at CITYCENTRE has the largest selection of all things cozy with their stay-at-home collection, which has everything from soft, fuzzy slippers to cashmere lounge sets in the loveliest color schemes. If you love to set a cozy mood with candles, check out their candle collections, which come in heavenly scents, and try their essential oil diffuser too. Faux fur blankets in pretty colors are excellent for cozying up on the sofa for a day indoors during cold winter days.
Need holiday gifting advice? We're here to help! 🎁🎁 https://t.co/dKSoYhERVT pic.twitter.com/lidWQn0Np7
— Anthropologie (@Anthropologie) December 4, 2020
Speaking of items for winter, Anything Bling has gorgeous sweaters perfect for creating a stylish outfit and keeping warm. These stylish sweaters start at $40 and come in various colors and styles, from puffy sleeves to long cardigans. Anything Bling is a one-stop-shop boutique for all your gift needs.
Are you looking to give the gift of the little yellow box? Kendra Scott has the latest in jewelry, candles, and accessories. Many of their pieces start at $40, and that includes earring studs and bracelets. A little-known fact about Kendra Scott is that if one of your pieces becomes tarnished, you can take it back to the store, and they will swap it out for a new one completely free. Then, if you're looking for multiple pieces, Kendra Scott offers gift sets that include earrings and a necklace or a trio of earrings. The company is also doing a fun December Days of Joy all month to highlight their fantastic products.
It's DAY 6 of our December Days of Joy and we're celebrating with a special earrings event! Today is your last day to take 20% off earrings PLUS, today only, select statements are just $50. Shop now: https://t.co/TAOXI4qn2N pic.twitter.com/0RQnAYgazE
— kendrascott (@KendraScott) December 6, 2020
Pandora has added additional charms to their collection, and this year they've introduced a Harry Potter line of charms. If you've been waiting to start a charm bracelet, then wait no more. A charm bracelet from Pandora is the perfect way to start a collection of memories.
For Men
The Memorial District makes it easy to find fantastic gifts for the men in your life. Check off the teenage guys and twenty-something men on your shopping list with apparel gifts from Aeropostale, American Eagle, and Abercrombie & Fitch at Memorial City. Similarly, Express has excellent looks to keep young men looking sharp.
At Abercrombie, we believe every day should feel as exceptional as the start of a long weekend—comfortable, confident & stress-free.
shop men's new arrivals: https://t.co/O2yrMlw8Wr pic.twitter.com/OLBWS6Puki
— Abercrombie & Fitch (@Abercrombie) March 2, 2020
Our favorite thing to do in these loungey looks? Nothing at all… 😴 https://t.co/zGb3I9sHim pic.twitter.com/NynzEq6FB2
— American Eagle (@AEO) November 28, 2020
Lifestyle retailer Urban Outfitters at CITYCENTRE always has clever gifts for men. Discover graphic T-shirts and hoodies as well as other fun tops and bottoms. Look for other fun gifts, like a Fujifilm Instant Camera, which lets your group take cool pictures and develop them in seconds. Urban Outfitters also has record players and dozens of vinyl records to select from.
For men of all ages, you cannot go wrong with a watch, and Fossil at Memorial City certainly knows how to craft a beautiful timepiece. You can see the American vintage inspiration in all of this brand's products. They might be timepieces, but they look timeless.
Does your gift recipient love the outdoors? You're in luck. First, while you're at Memorial City, check out Sun and Ski Sports to find products for men who love to bike, camp, hike, run, or swim. (Yes, there are also plenty of great products for snowy adventures!) Then, swing by Village Plaza to visit Academy Sports and Outdoors to check out the selection of similar products and all fan shop products for sports fans who love MLB, NBA, NFL, and more. You can even shop by city to find excellent fan apparel for Houston sports teams.
For Pets
Don't forget to spoil your pets with extra love and gifts during the holiday season. PetSmart at Bunker Hill in Village Plaza has everything you need to help your pets enjoy a festive celebration right along with everyone else in the family. And we're not just talking about pet food either. (However, you can find plenty of great food options there.) Instead, you can find toys, treats, and new beds. You could even get a fun, festive holiday costume for your pet. Top it off with a trip to Memorial City on a Monday when you can visit St. Nick's Park in the Dillard's Court with your dog or cat to snap holiday photos with Santa!
Rumor has it that wearing candy cane pj’s means Santa will give you extra treats. 🎅🏻 👀 #SeasonofSpoiling #fortheloveofpets https://t.co/V9sk8FgCjt ( 📷 : @TINKERBELLEadog) pic.twitter.com/AmTP7lwXVx
— PetSmart (@PetSmart) December 7, 2020
We hope you have a fabulous holiday shopping experience this year. Remember, you can find great products in-store or online from shops right here in the Memorial District!
Jason Johnson, President of MetroNational, the firm behind the development of Memorial City, was interviewed by Jeff Jeffrey of the Houston Business Journal. Johnson discussed the demolition of the Sears location at Memorial City, and he explained aspects of the redevelopment project that are on hold due to COVID-19 concerns.
"We're still in the planning phase of that project. We're taking a massive look at what we need in terms of the retail environment. That's one of the next 20 things we're going to be changing with the mall to make it more of a mixed-use, open space environment. It's going to take a lot of work and needs to get approval from a lot of people, including the anchor tenants. No one likes to sit on real estate, but we're going to take our time with that one to make sure we get it right."
He noted that the 25-story multifamily tower, The McKinley, is on schedule. The sales office should be open by the second quarter of 2021.
Johnson told The Houston Business Journal that the McKinley's office component is on hold while the firm's specialists examine how office environments might look in the future. For example, the specialists want to see the frequency with which people work from the office each week. He also expressed confidence about building an office space in Houston.
"I'm really pleased with what Texas is doing, in general, and what Houston, in particular, is doing with bringing new companies to town. We have always felt that by being a dense urban core that is outside of the (central business district), we benefit from having all of the restaurants and retail and things people want with a much shorter commute . . . Because of our location, we benefit from being in an area that is in close proximity to everything employees might need to do during the day, whether it's shopping or getting food or obtaining medical treatment."
According to Johnson, the redevelopment of Memorial City could occupy MetroNational's thoughts for the next ten years. The firm is taking the time to hear what tenants want and what retailers across the country do. The firm has moved quickly with choices about using technology to simplify deliveries and meetings. Still, it will take a steady approach to its overall growth to make sure its decisions are good ones.
Jason Johnson is the son of MetroNational's Chairman and CEO, Roy Johnson. He is also the grandson of the company's founder, Joseph Johnson.
Houston Business Journal's interview also appears on MetroNational's website.
Easter Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt!
SATURDAY, MARCH 31
2:00pm–4:00pm @ The Square at Memorial City
Enjoy an afternoon of fun hunting for hidden easter eggs on the greenspace and enjoying face painters, balloon artists, and arts & crafts. Be sure to bring your own basket!
8:00am–10:00am at Memorial City Mall
South parking lot near the Mall Food Court Entrance
Calling all car lovers! Mark your calendar for Memorial City Coffee & Cars on Saturday, January 6 from 8am –10am in the South parking lot near the Mall Food Court Entrance. Come check out everything from early 1900s machines to the latest super cars like the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder, while enjoying a cup of Java and breakfast for purchase at Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Cinnabon, PopFancy Pops, and more, starting at 7am!
Looking to celebrate with the littles? Can't stay up until midnight these days? Check out these two Noon Year's Eve opportunities in the Memorial District!
City Centre
Welcome the new year in the plaza with Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus and Adventure Kids Playcare on Sunday, December 31 from 11 AM - 1 PM with a family-friendly Noon Year’s Eve celebration; dance with a DJ and cap the noon hour off with bubbles! Enjoy face painting, a balloon and caricature artist, and capture the fun with Lucky Shots’ magic mirror photo booth.
Want complimentary premium parking during your next visit to CITYCENTRE in January? Spend $250 or more from 11 AM - 1 PM on December 31, and bring your receipts to the CITYCENTRE table in the plaza by 2 PM to receive your parking meter code. Spend $500 or more from 11 AM - 1 PM on December 31 to be entered into a drawing for complimentary valet parking for a year.*
*Purchases must be made during the hours set above, but can be accumulated across multiple retailers including restaurants. Receipts required to be eligible. Complimentary valet entries must be received by 2 PM on December 31 to be included in the drawing.
Memorial City Mall
Bring your kids out to Memorial City Mall on Dec. 31st at 11am for this family-friendly New “Noon” Years Eve celebration at the fireplace by Ice Skate Memorial City. Enjoy fun for the whole family and ring in 2018 without having to stay up late! We will celebrate with Face Painting, DJ Music, a Balloon Drop, and Lemonade Toast at 12pm Noon!
Musical Movie Week at the Square!
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26–SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30
7:00pm–9:00pm @ The Square at Memorial City
Come out to The Square at Memorial City from 7-9pm for Musical Movie Week, featuring some of Hollywood’s most loved animated musicals on the 14’ x 24’ big screen TV! Bring your blankets and chairs and sing along with your favorite characters, while enjoying popcorn under the stars.
On Tuesday night, grab a blanket and join us for an adventure to find the kingdom’s most wanted-bandit!, Tangled.
Life is great under the sea with The Little Mermaid, so sing along and enjoy Wednesday night’s musical flick.
Bring your loudest Rawr on Thursday night, the Lion King.
Join us to break Snow Queen Elsa’s icy spell on Friday night for, Frozen!
Grab your hula skirt and a blanket and head on over to catch, Moana, on Saturday Night!
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Starting Friday, November 24 through Friday, December 22, visit The Square at Memorial City on Mondays through Fridays for daily, 30-minute snowfalls. The Square is located on Memorial City Mall’s west side; nestled between The Cheesecake Factory and Maggiano’s Little Italy.
Hours
Mondays–Fridays: 12–12:30pm
Saturdays--Sundays: 4-4:30pm
He's making a list and checking it twice! Have you told Santa what you'd like for Christmas this year? Come see him at St. Nick's Park in Dillard's wing of Memorial City Mall from now through December 24.
Hate to wait? Get Santa's FastPass and skip the lines and hassle. Go to: www.santasfastpass.com/mview/6068/memorial-city-mall
Santa's Schedule:
December 11-14: 9am - 9pm
December 15: 9am -10pm
December 16-17: 8am-10pm
December 18-23: 8am-11pm
December 24: 8am-6pm
Holiday Hours
Extended Holiday Mall Hours
NOVEMBER 6 - DECEMBER 10
MON-SAT: 10AM - 9PM
SUNDAY: 11:00AM-7PM
THANKSGIVING AND BLACK FRIDAYTHURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23
6PM–12AM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24
12AM–10PM
Mall will open on Thanksgiving at 6 PM and remain open until 10 PM on Black Friday. Individual store hours may vary.
SUNDAY, NOV. 12: 11AM-7PM
FRIDAY, NOV. 24: 8AM-9PM
SATURDAY, NOV. 25: 9AM-9PM
SATURDAY, DEC. 9: 9AM-11:00PM
SUNDAY, DEC. 10: 10:00AM-8PM
DECEMBER 11 - DECEMBER 24
DEC. 11-14: 9AM-9PM
DEC. 15: 9AM-10PM
DEC. 16-17: 8AM-10PM
DEC. 18-23: 8AM-11PM
DEC. 24: 7AM-6PM
CHRISTMAS
AND NEW YEAR
CHRISTMAS EVE
7AM–6PM
CHRISTMAS DAY
CLOSED
NEW YEAR’S EVE
11AM–6PM
NEW YEAR’S DAY
11AM–6PM
Popfancy is upgrading popsicles with fresh ingredients and innovative flavors. Centrally located in the Memorial City Mall food court, Popfancy offers a new twist on the classic popsicle.
Owner Chris Doan and his two best friends, Kat Guzman and Kelly Choi, wanted to start a business together. They saw there was a definite need for a healthier dessert alternative. Doan says, “We didn’t set out on a mission to invent something new. We wanted to re-invent something that is traditionally beloved in American culture.”
With unique flavors like Mangonada-mango puree with chamoy sauce; chocolate brownie; cereal milk; Vietnamese coffee and Lavender Matcha, these are far from popsicles of our childhood. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients, flash frozen to preserve peak flavor, Popfancy delights with bold taste.
Doan says, “We definitely draw inspiration from the cultural diversity of Houston. Our flavors represent the diversity of the city we grew up in.”
Popfancy uses all-natural ingredients, organic sweeteners and steers clear of preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and fillers. Doan emphasizes, “We try to be as all natural as possible. I think quality ingredients give a better taste in general and all that peeling, carving, dicing, squeezing, scraping, ect really pays off in the end!”
The Memorial City Mall popshop opened in April 2016. Two other shops have opened in the Galleria and First Colony Mall, and a storefront is planned to launch this holiday season.
Popfancy is mobile too. Aside from their Popmobile food truck, they also have a small fleet of vintage ice cream tricycles for catering and events. Doan says, “It’s a head turner because it’s uniquely charming and really fits well with different environments-weddings, quinceaneras, birthdays-all the way to corporate gatherings and city-wide public events. The best part about Popfancy catering is the uniformed handout service that’s included with every booking!”
Try one of the dynamic flavors at Popfancy’s Memorial District location or make your next event even sweeter with Popfancy catering. For more information check out www.popfancypops.com.
Photo credit Popfancy
With sister locations in the Memorial District, Sweet and Tout Suite are creating bold flavors using local ingredients to the delight of customers.
Just off the plaza in CityCentre, Sweet offers up an incredible array of sweets from bite-sized to multi-tiered. Tout Suite, located near Ice Skate USA in Memorial City Mall, is a bakery and kitchen with sweet and savory options for dine-in or take-away.
Started by a group of friends, Sweet opened its doors in CityCentre in 2010 offering cupcakes, macarons, cookies, cakes and coffees. Since then they have opened the Tout Suite in Memorial City Mall and a larger Tout Suite in East Downtown, adding lunch, snack and dinner options to the menu.
Tout Suit opened July 4th weekend,2016, with a goal of bringing something new to the mall. The 360-degree space, with coffee, fresh food and indulgent treats, has something for everyone.
Marketing director Alejandro Martinez says, “We’re Houston proud. Everything’s local and you know that it’s supporting Houston.” Sweet and Tout Suite’s products are made to order and baked fresh from locally-sourced ingredients. The coffee comes from Greenway Coffee Company, and the fresh juice blends are created and produced in house.
Some treats not to be missed: the pot de crème; the gluten free brownie which tastes anything but; the strawberry cupcake; and the s’mores macaron which Martinez says is “life-changing”. The company’s macrons were recently voted #1 in Houston. Flavors for fall include all things pumpkin: cupcakes, bread loaves, macarons and spiced lattes.
Some of Tout Suite’s savory favorites include the veggie sandwich, which Martinez recommends with a side of Brussel sprouts and raspberry green tea. The pitaya and acai frozen bowls are fresh, natural, on-the-go options made from two flavorful super fruits.
One benefit of being a local business is having the freedom to experiment and bring new ideas to Houston. Sweet was one of the original bakeries to serve cronuts to the city-the croissant-donut fusion made famous in New York is still a favorite. Martinez says, “We’re always looking for the next thing.”
Stop in and visit Sweet at 801 Town & Country Blvd. Suite A120 or Tout Suite at 303 Memorial City Mall #571; or find them online: www.ilovesweet.com or www.toutsuitehtx.com.
Photo credit Tout Suite
Ice Skate USA in Memorial City Mall offers quality programs, cool times and fun for the whole family.
One of five NHL-sized skating facilities in the city, its central location, staffing, programs and upkeep, rank it among the best. Plus, Ice Skate USA offers a range of activities for all ages from public skating to freestyle and figure skating and instruction; skating and hockey lessons; youth, men’s and women’s hockey; as well as group activities and private events.
Public skating is open from 10am most days, though the schedule varies to accommodate other programs. Check the website for accurate times. Admission is $10 and skate rental is $4.
Before 10am, the rink is open to freestyle and advanced figure skaters. Ice Skate USA also offers private freestyle instruction from a pool of Olympic and international competitors.
For beginners on the ice, Ice Skate USA has recently added “walkers” to its facility-frames that provide balance and stability on the ice while a skater learns the feel of maneuvering in skates. General Manager Carl Sasyn notes, “walking is their first challenge if they’ve never skated before. The walkers are $10; they can take it and go!”
From the walker stage, students can begin skating lessons from 3 years old. Sasyn points out that learning to skate is “a fantastic way to develop balance, agility and discipline.” With a new monthly membership plan, students can attend unlimited classes each month for $85. Membership benefits include discounted public skating sessions, and enrolling before October allows you to take advantage of the summer’s “no initial enrollment fee” policy.
If you’re already steady on the ice, learn to play hockey! Intro to Learn to Play Hockey classes at Ice Skate USA run every 6 weeks for one hour on Saturdays and include two levels designed to graduate players into the in-house youth hockey program for ages 6 to 12. Classes are free, students only need to purchase the equipment (around $200).
In addition to youth hockey, Ice Skate USA is the largest provider of adult hockey in Houston with 29 teams across three leagues-novice, intermediate and advanced- competing 5 days a week.
Looking to add a little extra fun on the ice? Check out one of Ice Skate USA’s Friday theme nights or come try Broomball-ice hockey on shoes! Great for youth and corporate events, broomball is one option for a group or party at the rink.
Whatever your interest or skill level, there is something at Ice Skate USA to enjoy.
Visit www.iceskatememorialcity.com or call 713.463.9296 for promotions and additional information.