Meta's new Galleria store, haunted Houston lofts, and Mahjong rooms.
Houston news, local spotlights, city secrets, and home style—your two-minute weekly brief.
1 Big Thing: Meta's High-Tech Galleria Playground
This is the first official Meta retail store and Lab in Texas.
What's happening: Tech giant Meta just opened its first-ever Texas retail store right here in the Houston Galleria.
The scoop: Located on level two, the new "Meta Lab" is a fully immersive showroom. You can physically test out their Meta Quest 3 VR headsets and try on the new Ray-Ban smart glasses.
Why it matters: Buying wearable tech online can be a gamble since fit is so personal. Now you can make sure a headset is comfortable, or even order custom prescription lenses for your smart glasses right in the store.
The Local Spotlight: 8th Wonder Brewery
Lots of different beers to try and a very large beer garden.
The spot: 8th Wonder Brewery in EaDo is a Houston staple that never stops innovating.
What they do: Beyond pouring amazing craft beer in their iconic dome-like warehouse, they have expanded massively. They now feature a full distillery and offer their own highly popular line of THC seltzers.
Why I recommend them: It is the absolute best place to hang out before heading to a game. Their massive outdoor patio offers tons of space to relax, and the Houston sports nostalgia inside is unmatched.
Houston History & Hidden Gems: Spooky Nights at The Rice Lofts
John F. Kennedy had two major, historic moments at the Rice Hotel.
Did you know: The upscale Post Rice Lofts downtown used to be the historic Rice Hotel, and it is notoriously haunted.
The history: Built in 1913, the building sits on the site of the original Capitol of the Republic of Texas. It is also famously where President JFK spent his final night before heading to Dallas in 1963.
The spooky stuff: Just in time for Halloween, current residents and staff have plenty of ghost stories. People have reported mysterious cold spots, doors rattling in JFK's former suite, and ghostly figures dancing on the rooftop.
The Design Trend: Dedicated Mahjong Rooms.
Dedicated mahjong rooms have become one of the biggest interior design trends in 2026.
The trend: Mahjong has made a massive comeback, and dedicated game rooms are the newest must-have in Houston floor plans.
Why it's hot: Homeowners are tired of unused formal dining rooms and empty studies. Instead, they are converting these spaces into chic, social parlor rooms built entirely around hosting game nights.
The tip: Go bold and moody with the design. Wrap the entire room in a dramatic, patterned wallpaper and hang a statement chandelier directly over a square table to give the space a private club feel.
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