Major moves, fresh retail in island downtown

Movers and shakers: The Galveston Chamber of Commerce plans a March move to the first floor of the 1873 Washington Building, 2228 Mechanic St., in the island’s downtown.

Mitchell Historic Properties owns the building, formerly occupied by New York Dress Outlet, which did not return after Hurricane Ike struck in 2008. Along with housing staff, the 4,000-square-foot space also will serve as a visitor center and offer a conference room for meetings and small business seminars.

“This space allows the chamber to expand our role in serving visitors, which, in turn, serves the business community,” chamber President Gina Spagnola said.

The chamber, which represents about 900 businesses, is leasing space at 519 25th St. The chamber signed a five-year lease with Mitchell Historic Properties and has the option of two, five- year lease extensions.

Business is blooming: Meanwhile, florist shop Downtown Blooms is moving to a larger space, also owned by Mitchell Historic Properties. The shop, which opened at 217 23rd St. in March, is headed for 2309 Mechanic St., on the first floor of the 1858 Berlocher Building in the space formerly occupied by Midsummer Books, which also got Iked. Downtown Blooms, owned by Lee Sontag and Bradley Cardenas, is expected to make the move in February. The shop is a popular stop for brides and also offers gift items such as Kringle Candles and single bloom vases, along with daily flower specials and wreaths.

For information, call 409-974-4294 or visit downtownblooms.com.

Naked truth: As promised, Laurie Beckner and Shelia McKenzie have opened The Naked Mermaid, 2113 B Postoffice St., in the island’s downtown. The shop is an importer of fine furniture and home décor. For information, call 409-762-3300.

Opening soon: In more downtown doings, owners Jeff Gale and Bob Luna are busy readying Luna Design + Consign for an official opening the first weekend of January. The shop, in the first floor of Galveston Telephone Building Lofts, 525 22nd St. downtown, offers home furnishings and décor. The shop is in the space formerly occupied by Nest, which also was wiped out by Ike. Gale and Luna are well known in Houston for their popular restaurant concepts. The men own four Barnaby’s Cafés and four Brown Bag Delis.

All smiles: Crews broke ground Wednesday on a sizable office and dental complex, 3891 state Highway 96 E., in League City.

The development by Brent and Michele Patterson includes 4,000 square feet of lease space available to other tenants, along with 7,000 square feet in a state-of-the-art facility for League City Family Dentistry.

The new facility will replace the offices of Dr. Brent Patterson, who is practicing a few miles away on South Egret Bay Drive. He also owns Texas City Family Dentistry, which he founded in 1999. That practice will continue in Texas City. Texas First Bank is financing the League City project. Gregory Lewis of Lewis Design Group is the architect. W.M. Jones Construction is the builder.

Look for construction to be complete by June.

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