OwlCon, an Annual Gaming Convention at Rice University

Address: 1440 Sawdust Road Suite E2 The Woodlands, TX 77380
Hours (as of 15FEB2008): Mo-Th 12p-8p, Fri 12p-10p, Sat 10a-10p, Su 12p - 5p.
Discounts: Unknown.
Remarks: They carry the full line of Vallejo paints. Houston's only "partner level" Game Workshop store.
Gaming space: "Ample".
Gaming activities: Check their web site.

Little Wars (Houston) (281.861.0670, e-mail:info@littlewars.net)

Address: 10910 Old Katy Road, Suite 183-184, Houston, TX 77079
Hours (as of 02JUN2003): Mon-Thu Closed, Fri (by appt. only), Sat 10a - 6p, Su 12p - 5p.
Discounts: Variable, check website.
Remarks: They focus on historical miniatures, and they have an ample and complete collection of Vallejo Model Color paints in stock by the bottle. This is the only dedicated historical minis store in Houston. It's a small family operation located in a little weekend bazaar area. Check it out!
Gaming space: One 4' x 6' table and 4' x 8' table.
Gaming activities: Regularly occurring Historical games. Call them for details.

Midnight Comics and Games (281.293.0226, sandman@midnightcomics.com)

Address: 13711 Westheimer, Houston, TX
Hours (as of 22AUG2000): M-F 12p-12a, Sa 11a-12a, Su 12p-10p
Discounts: Regular subscribers get 10% off comics. Generally no discount for gaming, but for large purchases you may be able to work out something.
Remarks: Good selection of games, minis, paints, and brushes. Your first impression is that this store deals in comics, but they have a huge area filled with tables for gaming and hold regular gaming activities and have some leagues too.
Gaming activities: Call the store for current details. They have a lot of gaming going here!

Nan's Games and Comics Too (713.520.8700, e-mail: nans@nansonline.com)

Address: 2011 Southwest Fwy., Houston, TX 77098-4805
Hours (as of 22AUG2000): M-Sa 10a-9p, Su 12p-6p
Discounts: No discount on gaming products.
Minis: Minis selection is large. You can find some minis that are no longer available (provided you look hard enough). This is the best place to locate minis for out-of-print systems.
Remarks: Although they have no gaming discount or tables for open gaming, they do have a good selection of new, old, and used games and they buy and sell old games/comics. If you can't find what you want elsewhere, you might find it here. If you are a nonsmoker you may find the air in the store a little unpalatable at times. Cigarette smoke seems to find its way in the store, although it is much better now than in the past.
Gaming activities: No regular gaming activities or open gaming space, but they do occasional in-store demos.

Skirmish Games (281.542.6500)

Address: 8317 Spencer Hwy, Deer Park, TX
Hours (as of 15FEB2008): M-Th 12p-9p, F 12p-12a, Sa 11a-10p, Su 1p-6p; Closed 1:45p-3:15p on school days

Third Planet - Main Store (713.528.1067, e-mail: 3Planet@third-planet.com)

Address: 2718 Southwest Fwy., Houston, TX 77098-4607
Hours (as of 22AUG2000): M-W 10a-7p, Th-F 10a-8p, Sa 10a-7p, Su 12p-6p
Discounts: None.
Remarks: A "scifi/fantasy superstore" - mostly SF/Fantasy/Anime novelty stuff , books, videos, mementos, pewter figures and just a very small selection of gaming supplies and minis.
Gaming activities: None.

Voyager Toys, Inc. (713.660.8697, e-mail: toys@voyagertoys.com)

Address: 5805 A Chimney Rock, Houston, TX, 77081
Hours (as of APR2002): M-Sa 10a-6p, Su Closed (will keep gaming area open for gaming events)
Discounts: In store program that can net you a 10% discount (call for details)
Remarks: Their gaming stock is solely Games Workshop miniatures and games. This store is primarily a place for action figures and similar collectibles, but they are making a serious attempt to get into GW miniatures games. This is the closest store to Rice that provides open space for gaming. They have a painting room and folks get together to paint every Saturday.
Gaming activities: Check out their website for details.

Hobby Store Listings

G&G Model Shop Inc. (713.529.7752)

Address: (Rice University Village) 2522 Times Blvd, Houston, TX
Hours (as of 07JUN2001): M-F 11a - 6p, Thu 11a -7p, Sat 10a - 5p, Su Closed
Discounts (as of 07JUN2001): none that I am aware of.
Remarks: The best supply of styrene and related scratch-building materials I have seen in Houston. This store is small but densely packed with stuff. They have a surprising tendency to have what I need, although it may not be visible. They have a good supply of plastic kits, railroads, and terrain stuff. One nice thing is that it is run by a hobbyist and he is often behind the counter.
Cool stuff: Molds for some terrain features.
Paints: Tamiya, Testors Modelmasters.
Putties: Squadron (green and white).
Trivia: Established in 1945.

M&M Hobby (713.661.2270, e-mail: mandm@mmhobby.com)

Address: 6703 Chimney Rock Bellaire, Tx 77401, TX
Hours (as of 04JUN2001): M 10a - 5p, T-Sat 10a - 7p, Su Closed
Discounts (as of 04JUN2001): none that I am aware of.
Remarks: This store is dedicated to modelling, and RC (remote control). There is an RC track for racing. They have a great supply of tools and gadgets for modelling. There is a small section related to trains, a larger section related to ship building, then RC airplanes and cars, with the greatest emphasis on RC cars. There are also model tanks and plastic military figures.
Cool stuff: They have the very small needle files sold as part of the Testors Model Masters series. Seam scrapers for cleaning mold lines on smooth surfaces.
Paints: Tamiya, Testors, and Polly Scale.
Acrylic Extenders/Retarders: None.
Putties: Milliput, Squadron.
Trivia: Formerly I & I Hobby, they used to be next door. They moved in late 2000 / early 2001.

Michael's (713.662.0913)

Address: 3904 Bissonnet Street, Wesleyan Plaza East Houston, TX 77005
Hours (as of 04JUN2001): M-Sa 9a - 9p, Su 10a - 6p
Discounts (as of 04JUN2001): none that I am aware of.
Remarks: This store has a lot of great stuff for arts and crafts.
Cool stuff: A good supply of Decoarts' Delta Ceramcoat paints which I have found to be pretty good for miniatures, if diluted about 2 : 1 (paint : solvent).
Paints: Delta Ceramcoats, Folkart, Americana, and a lot of artist stuff.
Acrylic Extenders/Retarders: Delta, Folkart.
Putties:
Trivia:

Texas Art Supply (713.526.5221)

Address: 2001 Montrose, Houston, TX
Hours (as of 04JUN2001): M-F 9a-8p, Sa 9a - 6p, Su 12p - 6p.
Discounts (as of 04JUN2001): none that I am aware of.
Remarks: This store has a lot of great stuff for arts and crafts, as well as some serious art supplies. The best source for Airbrushes in Houston, to my knowledge. They have an impressive selection of airbrushes and paints, including Badger, Paasche, and even Iwata airbrushes. They also offer classes in airbrushes that can lead to significant discounts.
Cool stuff: A staggering selection of brushes and paints. An industrial-sized cutting board is available to the public, free of charge. It's great for cutting down foamboard to teh desired sizes before you leave the store.
Paints: A lot. Not as many of the traditional miniature/hobby paints, but a wide selection nonetheless. Of the commonly seen hobby paints, they have primarily Testors and Badger.
Acrylic Extenders/Retarders: Golden (4 oz.), Winsor & Newton (2 oz.), Sanford (Grumbacher, 5oz.).
Putties: None that I know of, just clays.
Trivia:

Hobby Lobby Creative Centers (713.665.2666)

Address: 8715 West Loop South, Houston, TX 77096
Hours (as of 04JUN2001): M-Sa 9a - 9p, Su 10a - 6p
Discounts (as of 04JUN2001): none that I am aware of.
Remarks: A pretty staightforward arts and crafts store, like Michael's. Their hobby section appears to have a better selection of plastic kits and the accessories for building and painting them.
Cool stuff: I have heard that their clearance bins can offer great deals.
Paints: Testors and Model Masters, some have more than others.
Putties:
Trivia:

Larry's Hobbies (281.443.7373)

Address: 156 fm 1960 E Houston,TX 77073
Hours (as of 04JUN2001): M 10a - 5p, T-Sat 10a - 7p, Su Closed
Discounts (as of 04JUN2001): none that I am aware of.
Remarks: This store is dedicated to modelling, and RC (remote control). They have a great supply of tools and gadgets for modelling. There is a large section related to trains, and a large area dedicated to RC airplanes and cars, with the greatest emphasis on RC cars. There are also model tanks and plastic military figures.
Cool stuff:
Paints:
Putties:
Trivia: They used to carry gaming stuff, but dropped it in 2000-2001.

Papa Ben's Train Place (713.523.5600, Fax: 713.523.6606; e-mail)

Address: 2506 South Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77098
Hours (as of...): M-F ?, Thu ?, Sat ?, Su ?
Discounts (as of...): ?
Remarks: A dedicated railroad store.
Cool stuff: They have a staggering variety of trees and scenery materials.
Trivia: ?

Trains and Planes Main Store Hobby Shop (713.977.1420)713.626.3414

Address: 9737 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77042
Hours (as of 07JUN2001): M Closed, T-F 11a-6p, Sat 11a-5p, Su Closed
Discounts (as of 07JUN2001): none that I am aware of.
Remarks: Trains, planes, and plastic kits.
Cool stuff: ?
Paints:Testors Modelmasters
Putties: Squadron (white).
Trivia: ?

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