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Popular clothing store destroyed in suspected arson fire: Owners who fought tostay open devastated

The store — named 713, Inc Art & Apparel — thrived for three years, even amidlight rail construction on North Main.
Photo by Tyler Rudick
A popular neighborhood clothing store went up in flames early Wednesday morning.
Considering that the blaze started at such a late hour and that the building'sdoors were locked, HFD called out its arson investigators.
Photo by Tyler Rudick

A street wear shop on North Main caught fire early Wednesday morning, destroying nearly all of the store's merchandise and devastating the building. Arson investigators with the Houston Fire Department (HFD) are investigating the mysterious late-night blaze.

"This is a family owned and family operated shop," says Michelle Azios, who opened the shop — named 713, Inc. Art & Apparel — three years ago with her husband Rusty. "We've put a lot of heart and soul into this place and I've definitely cried a few times since the fire."

"We've put a lot of heart and soul into this place," says co-owner Michelle Azios. "I've definitely cried a few times since the fire."

HFD public information officer Jay Evans tells CultureMap that flames were first reported at 2:42 a.m. With the help of 50 firefighters, the blaze was subdued about 40 minutes later.

"We called out our arson team right away," Evans says. "Anytime there's an incident at that time of night and all the doors to the building are locked, we definitely contact our investigators. Especially if there aren't any witnesses."

Azios suspects an arsonist may have been behind the fire, but has little idea who would want to burn down the business.

"People and other stores in the neighborhood have offered a lot support," she explains. "We've needed it too since the METRO rail work started on Main and blocked off the street. In the last few years, we've organized a bunch of neighborhood events and always get a great turn out."

In recent weeks, the shop was preparing for a free Halloween street festival on Oct. 27 that would have included live graffiti artists, complimentary tattoos and more than 10 music acts. Plans for the event are on hold, as HFD and the owner's insurance company continues to investigate.

Watch KHOU's footage of the incident below:

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana