Inspired by a love for the great outdoors, Chris Houston opened Elite Camping & Survival Gear last May to help Cy-Fair residents find a variety of camping equipment close to home. "I've been camping, hunting and fishing my whole life," he said. "Playing in the woods and being outside—I love this stuff." The store carries a variety of products, such as sleeping bags, knives, rain gear, tents, hammocks and cooking equipment. Several of the brands Elite Camping carries include products from Eureka, Maxpedition, Mountain House, GSI Outdoors, Condor and Yeti. "My main thing is good quality, but value as well," Houston said. Many of the products found at Elite Camping & Survival Gear cannot be found at other stores across the Greater Houston area. These items include Frog Togs—rain gear—and Esee Knives. "We had someone come from Southwest Houston the other day to buy [a knife] because he didn't want to buy it online and wait for it," he said. Houston also enjoys sharing his knowledge of the outdoors with customers who visit the store. "I tell them there's six parks within an hour from here," he said. "If you want to go backpacking, the [Sam Houston] National Forest has a 100-mile backpacking trail. People don't realize the opportunities that are around here." 11502 Cypress N. Houston Road, Cypress, 281-955-5101, www.copperkettlechocolates.com, Hours: Tue.–Fri. 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–5 p.m.