Founded in 1962 by Texas native, Alice Amason, The Briar Shoppe is Houston’s oldest continuously operated tobacco store. Today, the Briar Shoppe services a diverse clientele that ranges from the novice to the most discerning of tobacco aficionados. With our roots firmly established in Alice’s legacy of listening to and understanding the customer’s individual needs, we continue to deliver on our promise to be Houston’s premier source for tobacco products.
Established in 1962.
As a struggling single mother in the early 1950’s, Alice Amason left her home town of Weimar for Houston to provide for her two young daughters. Landing a job at a local pharmacy, she quickly became a customer favorite, as she demonstrated an aptitude for understanding and serving the individual needs of her customers. Alice recognized a consistent theme among her customers that until now, was going largely unmet: a demand for fine tobacco products and a wider range of options. She saw this as an opportunity to create a business for herself and her daughters. However, this proved to be a challenge in the primarily male-dominated tobacco industry, banks were less than willing to entertain a woman asking for a loan to start a tobacco business. Steadfast in her convictions that she could meet the needs of the customers, Alice persevered until longtime friend and customer, Racehorse Haynes, extended a loan of $500. And with that, the Briar Shoppe was born.
Bill S.
Business Owner
3rd Generation owner of The Briar Shoppe. Houston’s Oldest and Most Respected Tobacconist. We’ve been serving the Houston community for over 50 years.
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