Dressing room: Shopping center Gulfway Plaza at La Marque is sitting pretty with a new tenant. Mary’s Formal Creations has opened in the 14047 Delany Road center, anchored by Boot Kikkers Bingo and VF Factory Outlet. Mary’s Formal Creations specializes in dresses for proms, weddings and quinceañeras, a coming-of-age celebration for Latina girls.
Spot me: Meanwhile, rumors are getting quite the workout that another health and fitness business is flexing to move into the space formerly occupied by USA Health & Wellness, which in 2007 closed at Gulfway Plaza at La Marque after nonpayment of rent. Stay tuned.
Pray tell: Look for groups to again gather in a historic island church that hasn’t been used as a sanctuary since the 1950s. But it won’t be for worship.
Crews are finalizing nearly $1 million in renovations that will transform the original sanctuary of First Lutheran Church, 2401 Winnie St., into a venue for meetings and other events.
First Lutheran will rent out the venue, called The Lyceum to organizations or people for all types of events, including business meetings, conferences and social gatherings.
The Lyceum is nondenominational and will compete directly with hotels and other meeting venues around the island.
First Lutheran was chartered in 1850. But even before then, the congregation held services in what was then the island’s center of culture — the Lyceum Hall. In 1868, the church was a “gable-roofed, clapboard-faced wooden box with a short tower centered on the narrow front of the building and its sides were lined with tall, slender windows,” according to “Galveston Architecture Guidebook.” From the original building, a new structure was built in 1915. In June 1957, crews broke ground for the sanctuary next door, where First Lutheran now worships.
The Lyceum retains the building’s floor-to-ceiling stained glass windows, which First Lutheran earlier this year had cleaned by specialists in Fredericksburg.
Renovations, which included adding handicapped-accessible ramps and an elevator, should be complete in about two weeks.
The Lyceum, which can accommodate up to 300 people, is booking space now. For information, call 409-771-3553.
Checking in: A lot of readers are wanting to know the post-Ike status of Ramada Inn, 2300 Seawall. The island property has been closed since Hurricane Ike. Owners could not be reached for comment. But city planning department officials confirm those owners have applied for building permits and plan to operate the property under the Sheraton flag. Stay tuned.
Shoe in: As promised, Joyce Calver has opened Head to Footsies, 2211 The Strand in the island’s downtown. The boutique specializes in women’s clothing, shoes and accessories.
Head to Footsies also sells casual and career separates and cocktail/evening dresses. The boutique also carries shoes for men.
Before Hurricane Ike struck a year ago, Calver owned Footsies, which specialized in shoes and accessories at 206 24th St. Storm surge destroyed more than half of Calver’s inventory and fixtures at the old location.
