Grill is on: Seven weeks after Hurricane Ike, La Marque’s Cedar Street Hamburger Palace, 1319 Cedar, has turned on the burners and is again serving its popular burgers and other fare.
Owners Sam and Nina Serio report the eatery sustained roof damage during the storm, which struck Sept. 13. The roof is repaired. Cedar Street Hamburger Palace is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Where’s the beef? Readers are hungry for news about the post-Ike status of the island’s Cafe Michael Burger, 11150 FM 3005 on the West End.
Efforts to track down answers have been unsuccessful. Know anything?
Bell ringing: Mainland residents have more child care options. Tanya Bell, wife of La Marque City Councilman Keith Bell, has opened Sonrise Christian Learning Center, 1800 Oleander Drive.
The center promotes a Christian curriculum and offers meals, snacks along with Spanish and music classes, Bell said.
Toast in order: Last we left John Dawson, he was oh so close to opening 3 Oaks Fine Wines & Exquisite Foods in League City.
Then came Hurricane Ike, which tore limbs off some trees, damaged a fence and forced some water into the building, 601 E. Main St.
But the shop, which carries boutique and hard-to-find wines, gourmet meats and cheese, is finally open. It’s also soon to launch a Web site — 3oaks.net.
Still life: Hurricane Ike didn’t paint a pretty picture for the island’s art scene, which, especially downtown was beginning to show a lot of promise. Owners of Buchanan Gallery, 220 25th St. in the island’s downtown, report they’ve moved the business to 2907 Ferndale, in Houston’s upper Kirby area.
The island building took in about 8 feet of water, Kathi Buchanan said in an e-mail to patrons and friends.
“After the storm, we made a decision to relocate to Houston, to be nearer to many of our collectors and artists, and also because it appears as if the recovery of Galveston will take some time,” Buchanan said.
Bringing back being: Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Sharon Levy Pagan plans a Nov. 28 to reopen a limited area of the showroom at Vic’s Estate & Fine Jewelry, 2413 Market St. on the island. It too was battered by the hurricane.
“We are immediately available for appointments and encourage the public to call our temporary number, 409-771-4592, as needed,” Pagan e-mailed to say.
“Despite Hurricane Ike’s damage to our property and spirits, we hope Galveston County will continue to let us assist them this Holiday Season.”
Quick snips: Hurricanes and their aftermath can make for bad hair days. So it’s nice to hear more island salons plan to return or are reaching out to clients they haven’t seen since the storm.
Roxanne Clarke reports that repairs from storm damage at her Atmosphere the Salon, 1221 23rd St. Clarke, are under way.
Look for the salon to reopen in about two weeks, Clarke said.
“We will be back,” she said.
The salon’s design includes brick-walled reception area and brick columns from the old building that housed Yaga Tropical Café, 2314 The Strand, downtown.
The Yaga building was damaged in 2005 by Hurricane Rita. (There’s no word on an opening date for the cafe.) Clarke has been using a temporary space in Texas City to style hair. She’s taking calls at 409-750-9810.
Getting Creative: Anyone searching for stylists from salon Creative Styles, 6624 Stewart Road on the island, should call owner Cheryl Mancuso, 409-741-1111.
The salon’s building was destroyed by the storm, and its owner is waiting for insurance money before making repairs.
The salon, however, does intend to reopen in the building, Mancuso said.
In the meantime, clients should call Mancuso to arrange an appointment.
