The Bookbindery

Ochoa reopened The Bookbindery in Houston in 1986 before relocating his business to Missouri City in 1996. Since settling in Missouri City, Ochoa and his family have grown their bookbinding business to service individual customers with various custom binding projects, such as book covers and book boxes and cases. The bindery also services 35 major law firms and oil and gas companies.

“I guess the reason we are still in business is because we do a little bit of everything,” he said. “We have developed the business to the point where we are getting by and making money, [and] I enjoy what I do.”

Ochoa said The Bookbindery is one of the few remaining bookbinderies in Houston and is also one of the last binderies to specialize in leather binding. The bindery offers four different leather options for customers, including imitation leather, bonded leather, cowhide leather and kid goatskin leather imported from Scotland. Ochoa said the type of leather used determines the cost of a project.

Ochoa said projects total close to $80 an hour, however, he provides individual quotes depending on how extensive the project is.

“Every book basically has its own personality when you are working on it,” he said. “We do stuff that can run from a month to a year and a half because we have so much.”

The bindery crafts a selection of custom menu covers, post binders and ring binders. The bindery also specializes in restoring antique books. Ochoa’s son-in-law, Tony Vela, heads the restorations department and has restored books dating back to 1498.

As The Bookbindery nears its 30th anniversary, Ochoa said he is restoring the 3,200-square-foot shop with new paint, carpet and equipment. Ochoa is also taking steps to transfer ownership of the business over to his children.

“The good thing about the kids is they know a little about everything,” he said. “In sports they call that a utility player and that is what is great about them.”