Rice Village novelty store closes its doors

HOUSTON Variety Fair Five and Dime in Rice Village closed for good Wednesday. For decades, the quirky store sold candy, novelties and toys.

One longtime customer shared a funny story about the store with us.

"They came down here one time in the summer, and it was so hot, they didn't wear any shoes," customer Wanda Schultz said. "They had to buy some paper plates in here and tape 'em on their feet to go home."

"I can't tell you how many times I've cried today, especially when I'm hugging people," said Cathy Irby, the store's owner. "We've had a very outpouring of generosity from our customers and our friends and our neighbors."

Variety Fair opened Dec. 9, 1948. That was 22,483 days ago.