Flower power: One of the island’s oldest floral businesses is blooming again. Knapp Flower Shop, in its 84th year of business, has made a post-Ike return.
This week, the shop at 1122 45th St. is sending flowers to some island hot spots, where they’ll be distributed free to residents and tourists.
The shop, which took in nearly 4 feet of storm surge during the Sept. 13, 2008, hurricane, isn’t accepting walk-in business yet, owners Nelda Engstrom and Kristen Hanson report. But it’s fully stocked, staffed and taking orders by phone. Staff also will meet with potential clients by appointments.
For information, call 409-763-8581.
Happy Trails: Look for Santa Fe Trails in the island’s downtown to make its post-Ike return Monday. The shop, 2311 The Strand, has been in business for 15 years.
Santa Fe Trails, owned by the Yeatman family, specializes in Native American and Southwest jewelry and art.
Mo-tell: A developer is eyeing a seawall parcel for a three-story motel, according to city planning officials.
Details weren’t immediately available Monday, but city officials have met with developer representatives interested in building the motel on land presently occupied by a vacant retail center at 728 Seawall Blvd.
Most recently, Diesel Coffee & Espresso Bar operated in the space. Stay tuned.
Getting a Handle: Hurricane Ike may have permanently closed about 180 island businesses. But more than 130 new businesses have opened, many of them selling rebuilding supplies and home accessories, according to city officials.
The latest newcomer is The Handle Bar, 2215 Sealy St. Paula Roberts owns the decorative hardware business, which sells cabinet knobs and pulls, as well as door and bath accessories.
The shop sells items the “big-box stores” don’t carry, Roberts said. For information, call 409-974-4921.
Roadhouse report: For those who missed Buzz Blog, Nashville, Tenn.-based Logan’s Roadhouse will open its League City restaurant Monday.
The eatery, 3160 Interstate 45 in League City Town Center, will serve up more than 30 entrees, including aged steaks, grilled chicken, freshly ground steakburgers, baby back ribs, seafood and specialty salads.
The 6,336-square-foot restaurant can seat 237 diners and will employ about 130 people, officials said.
Tool time: A Youngstown, Ohio-based tool company has opened its first Texas site in pursuit of industrial and refinery business.
Penn Tool Co. has moved into Webster, 16920 N. Texas Ave., city economic development officials reported.
The company distributes and repairs tools such as air hoists and other air tools, carbide burrs, torches, gauges and other welding supplies and ladders, to name a few. Chad Siebanoller is the manager.
For information, call 281-316-6918.
American Indemnity, Take III: An item last week about the American Indemnity Building, 2115 Winnie St. on the island, should have said that when the seven-story annex was added to in 1979, Raymond Rapp was the architect.
Charles Zwiener was the architect for the original conversion from Ball High School to the office building. Louis Lloyd Oliver designed a two-story addition (the curved part).
