Owner and pastry chef Vanessa O’Donnell of specialty sweet shop Ooh La La says she’s choosing to simplify her business and keep it close to home. Saturday, February 22 is the last day of business for the Town & Country Village location at 770 West Sam Houston Parkway North. That still leaves two locations in Katy, including the original that O’Donnell opened at 23920 Westheimer Parkway in 2007 and the one at 20155 Park Row, which debuted in 2010.

“This was not a decision that Mike — my husband and business partner — and I took lightly, but when the opportunity arose to simplify our lives and have more time to spend with our daughter, we knew we were making the right choice,” said O’Donnell via press release. O’Donnell and her family live in Sealy, so eliminating the Memorial-area location saves some time. She says that key employees at the soon-to-close Town & Country Village shop have the option to take jobs at the two remaining ones if they so choose.

Ooh La La has long wowed visitors with its colorful cupcakes, cakes, pies, cookies and more. Every month, there are seasonal specials, and some of the longer-term favorites, such as the Margaritaville Cupcake and Dreamsicle macaron, are inspired by foods outside the pastry world. (Bargain alert: Want a taste of Ooh La La for free? Sign up for the newsletter for a free cupcake, and provide your date of birth for one during your birthday month, too.)

Should the O’Donnells choose to add another shop in the future, the likelihood is that it is springing up in Sealy or Fulshear.

Phaedra Cook

Phaedra Cook has written about Houston’s restaurant and bar scene since 2010. She was a regular contributor to My Table magazine (now closed) and was the lead restaurant critic for the Houston Press for two years, eventually being promoted to food editor. Cook founded Houston Food Finder in November 2016 and has been its editor and publisher ever since.