Restaurant signs, building buys and new ventures. Laura Elder has all the buzz when her column returns Dec. 3.

Saloon soon? Owners aren’t talking, but there’s some evidence the building formerly housing The Reef Seafood House, 1301 31st ½ St. in Texas City, soon will be home to Stagecoach Saloon & Restaurant,

Hot dish: Downtown island dining options are about to get more appetizing. After extensive renovations, Leeland House plans to open early next week at 2711 Market St., in the space previously occupied by Gypsy Joynt, which earlier this year moved to 6105 Stewart Road.

Resort report: An upscale waterfront restaurant in Texas City is setting the table for weekend-long festivities to debut its official Nov. 11 grand opening.

Room service: After more than a year, a multimillion-dollar makeover of iconic downtown island hotel The Tremont House is complete. Renovations encompass the entire 135-room property and some pay tribute to island-born oilman and developer George P. Mitchell and his wife, Cynthia. The work w…

New reign: A nearly 60-year-old barbecue joint long considered island royalty has passed the scepter to new owners.

Trigger happy: After a $1.5 million investment, a group of business partners has opened Texas Gun Club, 3720 Gulf Freeway in League City.

Power play: Did the island run out of suitable space for CenterPoint Energy to expand? It looks that way.

This column has been updated to reflect a correction on the location of Grand Oak Village.

Pier review: After many years and attempts at commercial development on the site of the island’s famous Balinese Room, one of the county’s most prolific developers is promising less talk and more action.

David Durden has been selected as the new general manager of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. 

Caffeine competition: Seattle-based Starbucks soon will have a new drive-through competitor. Omaha, Nebraska-based Scooter’s Coffee is aggressively expanding in Texas and plans Galveston and Texas City franchises, the company said.

This column has been edited to reflect increases in rental prices for houses in Palm Bay Galveston. 

What’s that? An inquiring reader emailed about all the stone blocks being deposited in the big lot west of assisted living facility Regal Estates off Enterprise Drive in League City.

Two for one? An unconfirmed but reliably sourced rumor is circulating that a Florida-based outlet company is planning dual stores in the space formerly occupied by retailer Marshalls, 6307 Stewart Road in Galveston.

Room report: The pool is poured, new doors and windows are on site and crews are busy transforming a mid-century motel that soon will be Hotel Lucine, 1002 Seawall Blvd. in Galveston.

Behind the wheel: Rumor has it electric vehicle maker Tesla is planning a League City showroom at 400 Gulf Freeway in the former site of a BMW dealership that moved to the Clear Lake area. Details were scarce, but those in the know say Tesla’s plans are real. But selling Tesla vehicles in Te…

Taco tell-all: Is another Galveston restaurant empire on the rise? It looks that way. Ray Fuentes, mentored by some big names on the island’s dining and hospitality scene, is preparing to transition his Mr. Taco restaurant, 4112 Seawall Blvd. in Galveston, from countertop to full service.

Slice of the market: Pizza from a vending machine? It’s a thing and it’s here. PizzaForno licensees Daniel Albelice and Keith Stephenson plan a 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday grand opening of their Friendswood automated pizza venue, 3312 FM 528.