Reader Alert
Debut delayed: Houston-based Gordmans had big plans in June to debut its stores in Galveston County. But coronavirus has delayed grand openings for the foreseeable future as the pandemic promises to dramatically alter the department store scene.
Big deal delayed: Rumor has it Texas-based SRH Hospitality Galveston Investments still intends to buy Hotel Galvez and The Tremont House, but the coronavirus crisis has delayed the high-profile transaction.
Few, if any, businesses are unscathed by the coronavirus. But deals are getting done — and undone — and commerce continues. Some retailers and restaurants are forging ahead with planned openings and expansions, although with adjustments and some uncertainty. Some are closed or offering limit…
Downtown update: The potential for residential development in the island’s downtown continues to attract investors and developers. Most recently, Jeff Ehrich, president of Galveston-based Seaside Construction, acquired the old Oldsmobile car dealership property, 2415 Church St., with plans t…
Hot dish: Those rumors simmering for days about The Reef Seafood House in Texas City are true. March 13 is the last day for the 40-year-old restaurant, an employee answering phones said. The good news is that owners of the popular La Brisa Mexican Bar & Grill are finalizing the acquisiti…
Smoke signals: Is this a chain in the making? Owners of Texas Pit Stop BBQ have agreed to open a restaurant in Mainland City Centre, formerly known as Mall of the Mainland, 10000 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway in Texas City.
Rumor reversal: It wasn’t so long ago that some islanders were convinced American National Insurance Co. planned to leave the island as it increasingly built up a workforce in League City, where it had offices in South Shore Harbour. The rumors reached fever pitch in 2005 as American Nationa…
Grab some popcorn: As the 92nd annual Academy Awards airs tonight, county moviegoers can look forward to some big box office buzz.
Slice of speculation: Biz Buzz has it on good authority that fast-casual eatery Mod Pizza plans a Texas City restaurant in Palmer Plaza, 3400 block of Palmer Highway. The pizzeria will rise in a small, newly built retail center on the site occupied by Gus’ Restaurant, which is moving across …
Property lines: Vacation rental management is big business on the island, which is buzzing about a major acquisition. Ryson Real Estate & Vacation Rentals has acquired a management portfolio that includes 150 rental homes from Deem Realty. That acquisition gives Ryson, which began in Gal…
Meanwhile, Buck's Barbecue closes shop, Target gets a major makeover in Clear Lake Shores, and Pier 1 Imports prepares to close its island store as it struggles to compete with online retailers.
Tradewinds turnaround: The rumors were true about dd’s Discounts planning a Texas City store. A subsidiary of Ross Stores, dd’s has signed a lease to open an 18,000-square-foot store in a subdivided space previously occupied by grocer H-E-B in the Tradewinds Shopping Center. The lease is the…
Rooftop report: Affordably priced houses with waterfront views in Galveston? It sounds as elusive as mermaids and pirate treasure. But it’s what developer Jerome Karam has planned for Hideaway Estates on the southeast corner of Zingleman and Ostermeyer roads on Gangs Bayou on the island’s We…
A much-awaited chicken restaurant hatched in Texas City, a long-delayed beer house opened in League City and, after decades of dashed hopes, one developer made good on his promise to put the old Falstaff Brewery building in Galveston back to use. 2019 was a year of fruition and saying "final…
Wait is over: Island-based American National Insurance Co. for several years has wanted a six-story, 550-space employee parking garage in the block west of the company’s downtown tower — One Moody Plaza — and planned to partner with Port Arthur-based development firm The ITEX Group to get it done.
Fresh from the oven: Texas City’s 6th Street just got a little sweeter. As promised, Kaitlin Stafford has opened Bear Fruit Bakery, 611 6th St., next to Hey Mikey’s Ice Cream.
Stack flak: After an expensive nine years, the Village of Tiki Island has agreed to settle a lawsuit, allow a proposed dry-stack boat storage development to proceed and to compensate the plaintiff.
Alternative banking: A group of investors has acquired a 70-acred tract in Lago Mar that it will eventually sell to developer Land Tejas as part of an unconventional business practice called land banking.
Greek revival: A rocky restaurant year will end on a tasty note for fans of Greek cuisine.
Just add water: How much water does it take to fill a 12-acre lagoon? A lot — 23 million gallons, to be precise. That’s enough to fill 35 Olympic-size swimming pools.
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