At 713 Shirts in the Brays Oaks District, every day is July 13, or 713 Day — Houston’s unofficial holiday celebrating the city’s original area code.
Simultaneously, every day is also June 27 at the locally owned shop. That’s yet another unofficial holiday in Houston celebrating the life and legacy of DJ Screw Day, the hip-hop legend known for pioneering the chopped-and-screwed sound.
And, while we’re at it, we might as well say every day is Aug. 12 at the shop, as that’s the birthday of the late Marvin Zindler, one of the city’s most influential and well-known media personalities.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, 713 Shirts celebrates everything H-Town with t-shirts—both custom and original designs—as well as a wide variety of products including stickers, pins, patches, air fresheners, hats, towels, pillows, lighters, posters, shorts, and more.
Located at 8536 W. Bellfort Ave., the shop is owned by Chris P, who grew up five minutes from the location.
Chris P said he earned a degree in psychology from the University of Houston and then spent 10 years working in social services and the mental health field before transitioning into the printing business.
This November, he said, 713 Shirts will be celebrating its ninth anniversary, but he said he had been running the shop through a website for two years before opening the storefront.
“Our most popular items are definitely our shirts and stickers, though our shorts always sell out quickly. In general, anything that highlights Houston tends to be a hit with our customers,” Chris P said.
Chris P said he has the most extensive collection of stickers in the city and recently dropped a tabletop game — Penitentiary Chances.
There is no need to wait for an unofficial or official holiday to go shopping, but 713 Day is approaching soon.
Chris P said customers can shop online or in store from existing stock, but can also choose from hundreds of original designs, pick any shirt color, and 713 Shirts will print it on the spot.
Houston, with its many nicknames like “Space City,” “Bayou City,” “Clutch City,” and “Screwston,” provides seemingly endless inspiration for merch.
“We love Houston and take pride in representing the city and everyone in it,” he said.
713 Shirts
8536 W Bellfort Ave.
713shirts.com
— Dorothy Puch Lillig
