Apache to mark 50 years on the island

Hot tamale: Two island businesses are marking major milestones. And after Hurricane Ike and a recession, they must be doing something right.

First, Apache Mexican Cuisine, 511 20th St., is celebrating 50 years. Frances Ochoa and family founded the business as Apache Tortilla Factory & Mexican Food in November 1960.

Miguel and Veronica Lopez — Veronica is Frances Ochoa’s youngest daughter — now run the eatery, which still has a loyal following. The most popular dish? The “Apache Special,” composed of a tamale, an enchilada, a taco, a tostada, rice, beans and guacamole.

To commemorate the eatery’s longevity, island Mayor Joe Jaworski on Sunday presented the downtown eatery with a plaque.

Flower power: Meanwhile, the island’s Larry Janzen should give himself a bouquet. Janzen, owner and principal designer of The Galveston Wreath Company and The Galveston Flower Company, 1515 19th St., is marking 25 years of floral designs on the island. Janzen is saying “thank you” by inviting all to stop by the store for a complimentary floral wall calendar featuring a seasonal bouquet each month.

Center of attention: In a success story that surprises even its owners, Gulfway Plaza at La Marque, 14047 Delany Road, is at 99 percent occupancy after recently adding two tenants.

The 20-year-old center that for years struggled as an outlet mall, has found a profitable purpose providing space for traditional outlet stores along with offices for governmental agencies, salons and even its anchor tenant, bingo hall Boot Kikkers.

Ebony & Ivory’s Flair Salon is the latest to open in the center. The salon, owned by Jackie Cornelius and April Jones, occupies 2,600 square feet. Meanwhile, Quest Diagnostics, a national medical testing company for insurers, is leasing 2,200 square feet at the center.

Hurricane Ike, which struck in September 2008, pushed a lot of businesses out of their buildings, forcing them to find new offices and storefronts, which helped improve Gulfway Plaza’s occupancy even in a recession that has hobbled other retail centers.

“We’ve exceeded our greatest expectations,” said Andy Walsh of Herndon, Va.-based Sugar Oak Corp., which owns the 176,259-square-foot center. “I never thought we would get to that number (99 percent occupancy) in the best of times.”

World news: Look for a December opening of Freebirds World Burritos in Victory Lakes Town Center, on the northeast corner of Interstate 45 and FM 646, reports League City Chamber of Commerce Chairman Rick Wade. Freebirds is a build-your-own concept, serving up such items as flame-broiled chicken and steak burritos along with vegetarian fare.

Freebirds, which already has a following at 528 Bay Area Blvd. in Webster, has built a restaurant on one of three planned pad sites in front of Lowe’s Home Improvement.

Joining Freebirds is Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar, fashioned after Gumbo Bar, a popular New Orleans-style eatery, 2105 Postoffice St. in the island’s downtown. Little Daddy’s is planning to open early next year.

Sandwich seller Schlotzsky’s also is building a store at the site. And Five Guys Burgers and Fries is working on an eatery in Victory Lakes Town Center, where Spring Creek Barbeque recently fired up the pit. Look in coming weeks for more food news and precise opening dates.

Turkey talk: A tip of the pilgrim hat to all the restaurants and caterers who answered the call to submit Thanksgiving Day news for travelers and others needing a meal.

• TopWater Grill Seafood Restaurant, 815 Ave. O in San Leon, is giving thanks for a post-Ike return and loyal customers by inviting “any and all” to the restaurant for a free buffet from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday.

TopWater Grill will open at noon. The bar will offer a full selection of cocktails, beer, wine and nonalcoholic beverages for purchase. For information, call 281-339-1232.

• Several island properties owned by Landry’s Restaurants Inc. will offer Thanksgiving Day meals.

As is its custom, the San Luis Hotel, 5222 Seawall Blvd., will serve its famous feast Thanksgiving Day.

The bountiful buffet includes selections from land and sea including sushi, jumbo shrimp and chilled crab meat, blackened redfish, smoked salmon, roasted pork loin, braised beef tenderloin, cornbread dressing, candied yams, scalloped potatoes, assorted grilled veggies and more.

Prices are $49 for adults, $39 for seniors 65 and older and $20 for children 4 to 12, ­plus sales tax and gratuity. Reservations are available for 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on a available space basis.

Call 409-744-1500, Ext. 2121.

• Holiday Inn Resort Galveston-On the Beach, 5002 Seawall Blvd., is offering its traditional Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its The Jetty Restaurant, reports General Manager Steve Kalbaugh.

The buffet offers traditional dishes such as turkey and gravy, cornbread dressing, garlic mashed potatoes and bourbon sweet potatoes along with seafood pasta salad, fruit and cheese, salad bar and more.

The buffet is $15.99 for adults, $14.99 for seniors and $11.99 for children 5 to 12.

Call 409-740-5300.

• Hilton Galveston Island, 5400 Seawall Blvd., also offers a traditional Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday in the Palm Court, said General Manager Mike Pistone.

The buffet includes traditional fare such as roasted turkey, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, baked yams and green bean casserole.

For reservations or information, call 409-744-5000 Ext. 724.

Biz Buzz appears Tuesdays and Thursdays.