Houston shoppers will always have The Galleria, but these days, it seems as though CityCentre is the place to eat, drink, shop and be merry.

Yes, the mixed-use complex is OTL, but that matters little to those who hop on the Katy or Southwest Freeways (or gasp! even Beltway 8) for their retail therapy. All of this progress isn’t lost on those who actually own and operate said stores and this fall brings new doors to the Memorial-area destination.

• Paul Carter Jewels is proving a diamond really is forever-even during a recession. Already at home in Uptown Park, the jeweler is expanding its reach with a new store in City Centre, Sept. 20. Paul Carter exclusively sells Robert Wander whose Crystal Candy pieces sparkle like vibrant rock candy, plus other collections like Luigi Federici’s crosses and celeb-favorite Autore. I once had the opportunity to pull jewelry for a photo shoot from Paul Carter and my favorite piece was a small, delicate vintage evening bag made from gold mesh. It was lovely and a one-of-a-kind item for sure.
• Although it would be nice to drip in diamonds and other sparkling baubles, one must also don clothes. Republic of Couture is another fall CityCentre addition set to dress the slick club scene. The men’s and women’s boutique is heavy on see-and-be-seen items in limited quantities from lines like Robins Jeans and Hugo Boss.
• Unless you count oven mitts and aprons, there’s not a lot of apparel to be found at Sur la Table, but fashion isn’t everything after all and even models have to eat. The upscale store for those who gobble up cookbooks like novels and adore kitchen gadgets will be pleased to find the store’s second location (the other is in River Oaks Shopping Center) opens in November and houses a full cooking school.

Progress is also moving further down the freeway in Sugar Land where residents will soon have another reason to keep their shopping dollars in Fort Bend County. Nordstrom is opening its discount counterpart, Nordstrom Rack in the Market at Town Square in Fall 2011.

The new 35,000 square-foot store is sandwiched between Marshall’s and Mattress Firm, and will carry the same special purchase merchandise and discount items from Nordstrom and Nordstrom.com marked up to 70 percent off. Instead of driving into The Galleria for a designer shoe fix, suburban shoppers will find women’s shoes in sizes four through 13 and men’s shoes sizes, seven through 16.

The exact opening date is still a good month or two away, but Nordstrom says its buyers are buying very close to the season to get the most current and best product for the store’s unveiling. When it does open, expect a big grand opening weekend, complete with shopping sprees, giveaways and other events sure to whip shoppers into a frenzy.

While suburban shoppers are waiting for Nordstrom Rack to open, Elaine Turner devotees are also on pins and needles after the news of Turner’s latest local expansion. The queen of Houston handbags is mum about location, but it’s safe to say she’s venturing beyond her tropical Rice Village digs.

West Houston, perhaps? The mystery location is set to open just in time for the holidays. I’m working on my wish list now.