Staples sharpening pencils for opening

File this date: Two years after economic development trackers announced Staples, the world’s largest supplier of office products, would open a store in League City, there’s finally an opening date.

Framingham, Mass.-based Staples plans an 8 a.m. Saturday opening in League City Towne Center, on the southeast corner of Interstate 45 and FM 646 next to SuperTarget.

With $23 billion in sales, Staples serves businesses of all sizes and consumers in 27 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Dog gone: As Buzz followers know, sightings of James Coney Island executives on the island last week caused a stir and speculation about a possible Galveston restaurant.

Executives on Wednesday called back to confirm they were on the island for their annual retreat to plan for the chain’s new fiscal year, which began Monday.

The executives did what a lot of visitors do — they dined at Gaido’s Restaurant, 3802 Seawall, and zoomed around the island on Segways.

They were easy to spot because they were sporting clothing with James Coney Island logos. But what they didn’t do was settle on a location for an island restaurant, as some fans had hoped.

Executives were spotted checking out the vacant Texas Dairy and Grill site at 26th and Broadway. Sue Straughan, director of marketing for the company, said they were happy to meet so many people who wanted a James Coney Island in Galveston.

But the privately held company, with 21 Houston-area sites, has no immediate plans for an eatery as far south as Galveston, Straughan said.

The chain, which traces its roots to 1923 and a stand in downtown Houston, is known for hot dogs, chili and other casual fare.

One reason regional and national chains are sometimes slow to open in Galveston is a fear that business bustles in the summer and sleeps in the winter.

But Straughan said she thinks sales would be strong enough during tourist season to support a store throughout the year, if ever the chain were to open on the island. Stay tuned.

Hot dog! Meanwhile, not all is lost. Crews any day now will begin building the chain’s newest restaurant, on the southwest corner of Interstate 45 and FM 528 in Webster in the shopping center anchored by Burlington Coat Factory, The RoomStore and Garden Ridge.

Baby back buzz: Contrary to rumors, corporate officials on Tuesday said Chili’s Grill & Bar, 500 Seawall Blvd., which opened in 2006, is not scheduled for closure. Rumors began swirling after Dallas-based Brinker International Inc., began closing some Chili’s restaurants in Texas and other markets last month. Word has it that some employees at the island Chili’s have been floating their résumés to other island venues, which is helping to feed the speculation.

In January, Brinker reported second-quarter earnings of $18.3 million, or 18 cents a share, compared with a loss of $21.8 million, or 21 cents a share, the year before. The company owns On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina and Maggiano’s Little Italy.

Here comes the sun: Is anyone else ready for spring? After an exceptionally long winter, Galveston’s beaches soon will open.

They actually never close, but Saturday marks the official return of bathing suits, lifeguards and volleyball tournaments at the island’s beach parks.

For information about water safety and beaches visit galvestonbeachpatrol.com.