Rice Village facts for kids
Rice Village is a popular shopping area in Houston, Texas, USA. It's a lively place with many shops, restaurants, and cafes. It's located about half a mile west of Rice University's large campus, which is about 1.2 square kilometers (300 acres). The main part of Rice Village covers several city blocks. It is surrounded by streets like University Boulevard, Kirby Drive, and Rice Boulevard. However, the shopping area has grown even bigger over time.
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History of Rice Village
When Did Rice Village Start?
Rice Village first opened its doors in 1938. It grew over time without a big plan. This means it became a mix of older and newer stores. It's a busy area with many different kinds of shops.
How Rice Village Grew
In the 1950s and 1960s, Rice Village became very popular. It was full of shops and did well. But in the 1970s, other parts of Houston grew faster. This made Rice Village less of a focus for new buildings.
However, things changed in the 1980s. Many young families moved into nearby neighborhoods like Southgate and Southampton. This brought new life and energy to Rice Village. It helped the area become busy and successful again.
Rice University's Role
Starting in the mid-1980s, Rice University began to buy land in the Rice Village area. The university saw Rice Village as a very important location. They believed it offered good chances for future growth.
Rice Village in Movies
A part of the 1994 movie The Chase was filmed in Rice Village. The first few minutes of the film show scenes from the area.
Exploring the Cityscape
What is The Village Arcade?
The Village Arcade is a big shopping center within Rice Village. It is located between Kirby Drive, Amherst, Morningside, and University streets. This development also takes up most of another block nearby. That block is bordered by Kelvin, Amherst, Times, and Morningside streets.
Shopping and Businesses
A Top Shopping Spot
Rice Village started as a small group of stores in the 1930s. Today, it is one of Houston's best places to shop. There are over 300 shops in a 16-block area. Rice Village is famous for its many unique and small shops. You can find special boutiques here.
New Stores and Changes
In recent years, Rice Village has grown even more. It now has high-end clothing stores. You can also find big national retail chains here. As more shops opened in the 1990s, parking became a problem. This led to the closing of Rice Food Market. It was the last grocery store in Rice Village. Recently, new apartments have been built in the area. These are called the Hanover Rice Village Luxury Apartments.
Community Services
Police Protection
The Houston Police Department provides police services to Rice Village. The area is part of their South Central Patrol Division. This helps keep the community safe.
Local Schools
Children living in Rice Village attend schools in the Houston ISD (Independent School District). The schools for this area are:
- Poe Elementary School
- Lanier Middle School
- Lamar High School
Media Coverage
In the middle of the 20th century, a local newspaper was based in Rice Village. This newspaper was called the Southwestern Times. It shared news with the community.
