An old fast food restaurant building is on the way out and a larger gas station and convenience store will take its place at the intersection of FM 1764 and Interstate 45 in La Marque.

Nearly two years of anticipation Katie’s Seafood House launches in Galveston; meanwhile plans are being made to reopen and rename a popular Seawall eatery

Blue-plate buzz: For weeks and weeks, readers have inquired about the unexpected closure Mel’s Blueplate Diner, 910 38th St. in Galveston. The diner left few crumbs to follow. But there’s finally news.

Banana splitting? Is Del Monte Fresh Produce, which has been a figure on Galveston’s public docks since the 1960s, planning to leave the island for another port? That’s the rumor lapping at the waterfront.

Crunch time: Demolition crews last week began tearing down a long-vacant restaurant building at 14th Street and Seawall Boulevard to the cheers of neighbors. But if history is a lesson, what rises in its place might not elicit the same response.

Hammer time: Demand for upscale apartments is so acute in Texas City that developers are planning hundreds more at massive Lago Mar.

Check-in time: What was years in the making is only days away from an official debut.

Changing market: In 1989, when 9th Street Meat Market opened in Texas City, consumers still valued traditional shops and the customer service for which small, family owned businesses are known. But it’s a world of online shopping, curbside service and home delivery even for food and grocerie…

Bet your boots? Hold tight. Because there could be a mechanical bull ride in your future. Representatives for Western Spherical Developers have confirmed plans to replicate Gilley’s, the famous Pasadena honky-tonk, in League City as part of a first phase of the proposed $450 million commerci…

Ringing up a remodel: After several months of remodeling work, supermarket Randalls in Galveston on Friday officially unveiled the results with a re-grand opening.

Hot dish: Remember all the buzz back in May about popular Texas City eatery Gus’ Restaurant contemplating a move? The rumors were true, Mike Tucker confirmed last week.

Still simmering: Readers are hungry for status updates on Katie’s Seafood House, a much-anticipated eatery at Pier 19.

Supply side: A well-rooted rumor is cropping up that Brentwood, Tenn.-based Tractor Supply Co. is planning a store at state Highway 146 and FM 646, in the far north part of Texas City. Beyond that, details were scarce.

American ambitions: Just a couple of years ago, developers were planning apartments at the American Indemnity Building, 2115 Winnie in the island’s downtown. But the most recent plans call for self-storage on the second and third floors and 20,000 square feet of commercial space on the first…

Fried and true: Five years after debuting its downtown island restaurant, Shrimp ‘N Stuff is planning a move.

Hot dish: Islanders are serving up spicy but undercooked rumors that Pappasito’s Cantina is considering opening a restaurant in the site of the former Nonno Tony’s Seafood Kitchen on Pier 21 in Galveston.

Crunch time: This buzz is making a lot of League City residents sit up.

Lowe-down: Who bid last week on the prime parcel between 55th and 57th streets in Galveston that was once the planned site for a Lowe’s Home Improvement store? That’s the multi-million dollar question.