March is Women’s History Month, and March 8 is International Women's Day. In celebration, here are some local women-owned businesses in the Heights, River Oaks, Montrose and surrounding areas—which run the gambit from coffee and tea houses to ice creameries and custard shops to lifestyle and wellness brands.
This list is noncomprehensive. To have a business considered for addition to the list, please email [email protected].
Food and drink
Dodie's Beer + Wine Shoppe
Dodie Wilson has been a resident of Houston for 35 years and opened Dodie's Beer + Wine Shoppe in the Heights—next to her daughter Rebecca Masson's Fluff Bake Bar—in October 2021. Dodie's features rare wine brands and, starting March 8, is hosting a quarterly series to highlight women-owned wine brands.
1701 W. 15th St., Houston. www.drinkwithdodie.com
Hours: Wednesday-Friday 1-7:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; closed Monday-Tuesday.
El Gato Coffeehouse
At El Gato Coffeehouse—which brands itself as Houston’s first and only cat cafe and rescue—patrons can make reservations to dine in and hang out with adoptable cats. El Gato was founded in July 2020 and is in the process of becoming fully operational as a nonprofit.
508 Pecore St., Ste. A, Houston. 832-968-3006. www.elgatocoffeehouse.com
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday-Friday 12:30-4:30 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday noon-4 p.m.; closed Monday and Wednesday.
Fluff Bake Bar
Rebecca Masson, who appeared on "Top Chef: Just Desserts" in 2011, operates Fluff Bake Bar in the Heights, next to her mother Dodie Wilson's concept Dodie's Beer + Wine Shoppe. Fluff Bake Bar offers classic cookies, bars and other sweets, such as lemon pound cake and financiers.
1701 W. 15th St., Houston. 713-522-1900. www.fluffbakebar.com
Hours: Sunday noon-6 p.m.; Wednesdsay-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Monday-Tuesday.
Fat Cat Creamery
At Fat Cat Creamery’s two Inner Loop locations, everything on the menu is made in-house, except for the rainbow sprinkles, according to owner Sarah Johnston. Johnston, a resident of the Heights for over 15 years, has been selling ice cream since 2011.
1901 N. Shepherd Drive, Houston. 1225 W. 34th St., Houston. 713-869-1080. www.fatcatcreamery.com
Hours: Monday-Thursday noon-10 p.m.; Friday noon-11 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Tea Sip
Jessica Boyd, Tea Sip’s founder and CEO, opened the combination tea shop, brew bar and blend lab in 2017 after her love of tea encouraged her to learn more about it and the industry. The shop sells teas, tisanes and teawares, among other items.
