Pier pressure: The rumor that retailer Pier 1 Imports is closing its Galveston store isn’t true. But the store, 6228 Broadway, will undergo an extensive makeover, employees at the store confirmed last week.
Sometimes, the best laid plans need to be tweaked. That’s the case for the Park Board’s Coastal Zone Management (CZM) team when it comes to cleaning up after busy days.
Wouldn’t it be great if every weekend were a three-day weekend? This summer, the Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is tempting island visitors to take an extra vacation day by offering Sunday night fireworks every week during the summer.
Hammer time: The construction fence is up and crews are soon expected to begin work on a 134-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites in the 3200 block of Seawall Blvd.
The Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce has been named one of 13 Communications Excellence Grand Award winners by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
Tex tattle: A long vacant island restaurant building soon will be home to a purveyor of specialty cheesesteak sandwiches — Texas style.
In April last year, Biz Buzz reported about the imminent opening of Barge 295 in the former site of the Turtle Club at the end of a pier on Clear Lake, 2613 E. NASA Parkway in Seabrook. After 33 years, the Turtle Club, known as Lance’s Turtle Club, closed on New Year’s Eve 2016. It was consi…
The tourism industry is big business. Here in Galveston, the economic impact of tourism was more than $1 billion last year. A new degree program at Texas A&M Galveston is looking to prepare graduates for success in the industry.
On Thursday, communities all across the globe will celebrate World Oceans Day, and Galveston is no exception. To commemorate this special day, the Galveston Park Board and local conservation group Artist Boat will host a free festival at the Stewart Beach pavilion.
Coffee coup: Can caffeine stimulate a revitalization in La Marque’s downtown? City officials think so. Those officials last week announced Art of Coffee would be the first tenant at 401 Laurel St., a building in the La Marque Renaissance District. Coffee shop owners Jimmy Sims and Bill Minak…
Wade A. Kilpatrick is a patient man. And a stubborn one, too.
Tail wagger: There’s more evidence that area residents will spare no expense to make their pets happy.
The beach nourishment project along the seawall that was completed last May was quite an undertaking. More than 1 million cubic yards of sand was placed on the beach between 10th and 61st streets. And a national conservation organization has taken notice.
Land lines: Luxury waterfront community Harborwalk, which in September fended off a foreclosure sale of various parcels and properties, has a new owner and a debt-free future for the first time in its existence.
My family and I had to hunker down at our West End home for a morning last month when athletes from the Ironman 70.3 were in town. It was tough to get around for a few hours, but based on an economic impact report for the event, I think it was worth it.
One of the best parts about living where other people go on vacation is that we residents can experience our own vacations whenever we want. This summer, there are many free, fun activities on the horizon brought to you by the Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and its partners.
It isn’t unusual to order hot wings and beer with a side of cleavage at any one of the many so-called breastaurants, including Hooters or Twin Peaks. But this is new ground for the county.
Galveston Island welcomed seven million visitors in 2017, up from 6.5 million in 2016. The numbers reflect a record-breaking tourism season that has a far-reaching impact to the island.
Medical alert: The shocking announcement Friday that Bay Area Regional Hospital would close, lay off 900 people and file for bankruptcy raised questions about other projects by Medistar Corp., which invested $200 million in developing the nine-story, 375,000-square-foot acute-care hospital, …
Water watchers at the Port of Galveston will soon start to notice the MV Lester Fuller in the waters around the port more.
Retail detail: After months of rumors and much speculation, Houston development firm Edifis Group has divulged details about plans for the 98,816-square-foot Palmer Plaza shopping center in the 3400 block of Palmer Highway in Texas City.
Since 1923, the United Way of Galveston has been a community-building organization delivering programs that improve health, education and financial stability to Galveston’s citizens. Recently, the non-profit recognized the Galveston Park Board of Trustees for its support.
Remember when April used to be a slow month in Galveston? Thanks to some major special events on the island this normally sleepy spring time is teeming with activities that are fun for visitors and locals alike.
Hammer time? If all goes as planned, crews in June will begin long-awaited work on a six-story parking garage and an apartment complex in a development that will save what remains of the historic Medical Arts Building and ease parking woes in the island’s downtown.
Thanks to the work of local nonprofit Artist Boat, more than 166,000 students from around the region have taken part in outdoor education along Galveston’s bays. Soon, these students will have an outdoor classroom, complete with a pizza oven, to enhance their experiences.
If you've heard rumors about a popular Houston and Dallas concept planning to serve up a Galveston version at 2410 Strand, it's just Hearsay — the actual name of the concept is Hearsay Galveston.
Project Manager Jodi Montemayor last week said engineering was in the design phase and Dickinson Economic Development Corp. officials were about six months from going out for construction bids on the project planned for state Highway 3, across from Dickinson’s City Hall and library.
The island continues to establish itself as a craft beer destination with the recent opening of Devil and the Deep Brewery, 2425 Postoffice St. — the storefront faces 25th Street — in Galveston’s downtown.
Every now and then, I get questions from readers about park board issues. This week, I’ve decided to answer a few that have come up rather frequently.
Almost two years since its completion, the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics vehicle processing plant has proven to be a major success for the port, officials argue.
Michael Martini, who owns the downtown building — on the corner of 21st and Church streets — last week said crews were cleaning up damage from Hurricane Ike, which struck in 2008.
A new pavilion at Stewart Beach has become one step closer to fruition. At the March park board meeting, the trustees approved a conceptual design for the structure.
Plugged in: Islanders shouldn’t be surprised if they start seeing more Tesla automobiles cruising around town.
In the coming months, be on the lookout for turtles in Galveston. They’ll turn up in places like city hall, downtown and along the seawall.
Medical alert: After months of construction and many inquiries from Buzz readers, Hospitality Health ER plans a March 30 opening of its 4222 Seawall Blvd. site.
From pirates to palaces, tall ships to great storms, Galveston is rich in history and experiences. Now, families who visit Galveston have an opportunity to more deeply appreciate this history thanks to the development of a Galveston home school curriculum.
Icon Bank confirmed last week it was the prevailing bidder in a foreclosure sale of multiple tracts, lots and property at luxury West End island development Bayside at Waterman’s, which includes the newly renovated Stewart Mansion.
In anticipation of National Travel and Tourism Week from May 6 to May 12, the Galveston Island Park Board and the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) will host its fourth annual Tourism Summit on May 3. Anyone who works in the tourism industry in Galveston or is interested …
Plans developing for site of former Texas City H-E-B; Local Staples plans to close
Galveston’s East End Lagoon is a special place for residents and visitors alike. The nearly 700-acre preserve is teeming with plant and animal life and is set to receive improvements thanks to partnerships with state and local organizations.
Mudbug mission: Crews are about a month away from completing a massive crawfish and shrimp processing facility on Dike Road in Texas City that for months has generated much buzz.
This past week, the island played host to a tourism town hall meeting with state Sen. Larry Taylor and Rep. Wayne Faircloth.
Hurricanes typically dampen real estate sales. And although Hurricane Harvey did far more flood damage to the mainland than the island, Galveston still was fighting errant perceptions about the storm weeks after it struck in late August 2017.
Steak out: Inquiring readers are hungry for answers about the opening day status of Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers in Bay Colony Town Center, 2955 S. Interstate 45, in League City.
Benny Davis offers a unique perspective on the changing landscape of Santa Fe.
The arrival of Costco in Webster will include site improvements like detention ponds, Webster city officials said.
Can we call this a boom? Downtown Galveston is bustling as businesses expand or open new concepts.
Banks and other area businesses say they stand to gain a lot from the Trump administration’s corporate tax cuts signed into law late last year, with many expecting stronger profits, which will lead to more spending and economic growth, they said.
If you like to spend time at the beach and if you like to earn money, the park board has a deal for you. The organization is seeking more than 150 people who want to work where they play during the upcoming spring and summer seasons.
Smokin’ buzz: Five long months after Hurricane Harvey badly flooded its building, Dickinson Bar-B-Que & Steakhouse, 2111 FM 517, has reopened. And owners Keith and Holly Lilley had some encouraging words for other area businesses and homeowners still battling to recover from the devastat…
More than 600 women are expected to fill the conference room of Galveston’s Moody Gardens Hotel on Feb. 22 to learn about expanding opportunities for women in the petrochemical and industrial trades industries.
The Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce announced exciting details regarding the 2018 Celebrating Women: Mind, Body, Spirit. The 11th annual Galveston women’s conference will be held on May 4 at the Moody Gardens Convention Center, 1 Hope Blvd., in Galveston.
This time of year, many of us spend our Sunday evenings watching as movie stars and musicians step up to the stage to receive industry honors. Though it wasn’t a Grammy or an Oscar, the park board recently received regional recognition for one of its projects.
When you’re 111 years old, it’s easy to get set in your ways. That’s especially true in the community banking industry, which is famously conservative.
Retail rumblings: An unconfirmed but intriguing rumor is making the rounds that no-frills grocer Aldi and clothing retailer Ross Dress for Less plan stores at Palmer Plaza in the 3400 block of Palmer Highway in Texas City. It’s the same shopping center Chick-fil-A has been pecking around.
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