In honor of National Small Business Week, which ends May 6, here are 8 locally-owned places to visit in the Lake Houston area.


Hippo Burgers offers huge portions
Popular burgers include the Monster Hippo, which features two patties, bacon, ham, sausage, cheese and jalapenos, and the Hippo Avocado Burger, which has guacamole, grilled onions, tomatoes and cheese. Each of the burgers is made with a half-pound patty of fresh Angus beef.
641 Wilson Road, Humble
281-852-0333
www.hippoburgers.com
Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.


Kingwood boutique Fur Babies brings village mentality to pet products
Fur Babies opened as a boutique store in 2006 after recalls on dog food sparked the idea. The pet food choices, including treats, do not contain corn, wheat, soy, byproducts, fillers or chemical preservatives.
1303 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood
281-713-8900
www.furbabiesdogwash.com
Hours: Tue.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Sun. and Mon.




Top 10 Cigars La Flor Dominicana is a customer favorite at Top 10 Cigars.[/caption]

Top 10 Cigars grows inventory in Fall Creek-area store
One of the only cigar stores in the Lake Houston area, Top 10 Cigars opened more than two years ago near master-planned community Fall Creek. The shop offers more than 350 cigar options, a smoke lounge with seating and televisions and event hosting.
9502 Beltway 8, Ste. 111, Humble
281-506-8461
www.top10-cigars.com
Hours: Mon. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.,
Tue. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Wed.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 12:30-6 p.m.


Humble staple Italiano’s Restaurant continues to grow
The menu features chicken, seafood and steak entrees in addition to pasta dishes, such as ravioli, lasagna and spaghetti. The restaurant’s signature Italian flavor can be tasted in every dish.


Humble
217 FM 1960 Bypass Road E., Humble
281-446-6111
www.italianosrestaurant.net
Hours: Sun.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.


Atascocita
8146 FM 1960, Humble
281-852-7662
www.italianosrestaurant.net
Hours: Sun.-Thu. 11 a.m.- 9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.


Toys & Candy On the Park owners rebound from tragedy through the Kingwood store
The store carries more than 600 chocolates and candy options and 3,000 types of toys at the independent specialty toy store in Kingwood.
1271 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood
281-361-6453
www.facebook.com/toysandcandyonthepark
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m.


Chez nous brings fine dining experience to Humble
Chez nous is a traditional French restaurant whose menu includes duck and beef tenderloin, which is used to make roast or steak. The seafood dishes feature shrimp, Atlantic salmon and crab, while the appetizers include escargot, or cooked snails.
217 S. Avenue G, Humble
281-446-6717
www.cheznousfrenchrestaurant.com
Hours: Tue.-Sat. 5:30-10 p.m., closed Sun. and Mon.




Lucy, a green-winged, 4-year-old macaw, is for sale at ABC Birds. Lucy, a green-winged, 4-year-old macaw, is for sale at ABC Birds.[/caption]

Humble pet shop ABC Birds helps customers find their avian match
Owners Jamie and Barry Whittaker carry a variety of birds and cages in addition to nutritional food and snacks and other supplies at the specialty parrot pet store.
19333 Hwy. 59 N., Humble
281-852-2600
www.abcbirds.com
Hours: Sun.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.


Atascocita restaurant Curry Sultan features fresh Indian food
Curry Sultan’s lunch menu features authentic dishes like chicken tikka cooked in the traditional Indian tandoor oven. It is served with basmati rice. The chicken, shrimp or lamb vindaloo, which is Ramaswamy’s grandmother’s recipe, is made with poppy seeds and coconut milk.
5350 FM 1960 E., Humble
281-812-4777
www.currysultan.com
Hours: Sun., Tue.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., closed Mon.