As a native Houstonian, Southern Importers has been in and out of my life for decades. It started for me as a child, who had dreams of being a ballerina, taking 12 years of dance and spending many a day and many a dollar with my Mom purchasing all of my recital gear. It returned as a frequent place to visit when I had my kids and they too had dance and Halloween costumes and many themed parties to find all of the right decor for and lastly in a major way when my career at Foley’s took an unexpected twist and I became the V.P. of Visual Merchandising for 12 years and really spent the big bucks at Southern Importers. The countless orders for all things decorative were a constant in and out the door of not only our corporate office but many of the local stores as well. There was no corporate visit prep complete without endless trips to Southern Importers.
However, like all things in our lives must come to an end……so was the case with Southern Importers. This store which for years was the go-to stop in Houston for all major display and theatrical supplies, seasonal decorations and costumes, will end its storied 104-year run on June 29. The San Jacinto location, which was its third and longest running location since the business was first established in 1915, which started on the second floor of the former Prince Theater at 320 Fannin is making its final sales!
“To sustain a family business for more than 100 years is pretty amazing, and I’m incredibly grateful for our loyal customers and employees who made that possible,” said third generation owner Mickey Frost. “For many Southern Importers has always been more than a store. It’s an experience that’s just plain funb, and that’s what I’ll miss, but the time has come,” continued Frost.
For a taste of Southern Importers history….it is documented on the photo-lined walls in the store. “We made fans for Gypsy Rose Lee, sold fabric to Tina Knowles, costumes to Beyonce and her sister and count among former customers famous names such as Lucille Ball, Tommy Tune, Houston native, Patrick Swayze and his mom, dancer Patsy Swayze, Selena, and Houston Rockets former mascot Turbo to name a few.
Southern Importers will be welcoming customers until closing time on June 29. You can take a stroll down memory lane for those of us that grew up with it and gets some great bargains too!
Details: Southern Importers, 4825 San Jacinto, Houston; Monday thru Saturday, 9am – 6 pm, through June 29,l 2019.