Laura Elder
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Articles by Laura Elder
Biz Buzz: El Tiempo Cantina makes island debut; H-E-B plans major makeover in League City
Hot dish: After more than two years of simmering suspense, El Tiempo Cantina plans an official Monday opening of its downtown Galveston Tex-Mex eatery, 2301 Strand. The opening comes after an extensive buildout of part of the space in the historic Thomas Jefferson League Building. The bar of the soon to be opened El Tiempo Cantina is seen on Thursday in Galveston. Facundo Caminos, who owns the 1871 landmark building, also this week revealed he’s the franchise owner of the Galveston El Tiempo.
Biz Buzz: Owners seek Galveston Landmark designation for mid-century Commodore
Sitting Bull: More than five months after private equity firm Good Bull Capital took ownership of The Commodore on the Beach, islanders are worried about lack of work at the long languishing motel property, 3618 Seawall Blvd. Owners of the Commodore on the Beach are seeking landmark status for the mid-century modern motel.
Latitude Margaritaville developer closes on 1,318-acre Texas City tract
TEXAS CITY Minto Communities USA closed Monday on the acquisition of 1,318-acres in Texas City that will become Latitude Margaritaville Galveston Bay, marking another advancement of a development that almost wasted away amid disputes with city leaders. The age-restricted Texas City Latitude Margaritaville will be the first 55-and-old master planned community in Texas for the brand selling a lifestyle inspired by singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett.
Compassion alone won’t solve Galveston’s homelessness problem
A city's compassion should be judged partly by how it treats its most vulnerable people — and partly by whether its actions improve or undermine conditions for all stakeholders. In Galveston, those stakeholders are the people sleeping on downtown benches, on beaches or in small but proliferating encampments. They're also the shopkeepers trying to stay open, the residents walking through a park and the visitors deciding whether to return.
Biz Buzz: Who's the mystery operator of a planned bistro in Galveston's East End?
Byrd watching: Contrary to social media speculation, island restaurateur and businessman Dennis Byrd said he isn’t involved in development of a bistro and venue on the island’s East End that’s been the talk of the island this month. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t interested, he said. An artists rendition of what a yet-to-be named bistro planned for 14th Street in Galveston might look like.
Biz Buzz: New owners plan to repair storm-damaged Pelican Rest Marina; Island's East End to be served a new restaurant
Slips of the lip: All that speculation sailing around the island about possible buyers for the long languishing Pelican Rest Marina, 7819 Broadway, is quite seaworthy. Jim and Jan Pozzi, owners of Number 13 Prime Steak and Seafood, have acquired the nearby Pelican Rest Marina in Galveston. Jim and Jan Pozzi, who own the popular Number 13 Prime Steak & Seafood at 7809 Broadway in the same complex, confirmed this week they acquired the marina from the family of Harry “Buddy” Schultz.
Biz Buzz: Rumors fly about Riondo's replacement; El Tiempo pre-heats for October opening
New flame? After more than a month of unsavory news emanating from the abrupt closure of Riondo’s Ristorante, more appetizing buzz is emerging, including possible plans for a new restaurant to take its place. Riondo’s Ristorante on The Strand in downtown Galveston has closed permanently.
Possessed by the devil I know
Laura Elder Every October, I’m reminded there are two kinds of people in this world: those who dream up and make their own Halloween costumes, and people like me who stand in line at the store holding a pair of devil horns and thinking, “next year, I will finally dress up as Beth from ‘Yellowstone.’” Fair or not, I blame my lack of Halloween imagination on my mother, who once smeared charcoal on my face, dressed me in tattered clothes and declared me a hobo.
Biz Buzz: Boot Barn to scoot into Texas City; Riondo's closes permanently amid lease dispute
Barn raising: That rumor two-stepping across the mainland since June about Boot Barn scooting into Texas City was true. City officials this week confirmed the existence of a commercial remodel permit for Boot Barn at 3501 Palmer Highway in the space occupied by Baytown Seafood. The Baytown Seafood restaurant in Texas City will make way for a new Boot Barn store in the space.
Biz Buzz: Parkwood American Grille opens, Faust rolls out; Riondo's restructures, Yaga's stays put
Tapped out? A distributor with a long Galveston County beer history has quietly closed its La Marque operations, putting its two buildings totaling about 92,000 square feet up for sale, according to commercial listings. The Faust Distributing Co. building along Interstate 45 in La Marque is for sale after the company quietly ceased operations there. Officials with Faust Distributing Co‘s. corporate offices in Houston didn’t respond to inquiries.
Biz Buzz: Closure ends long Galveston Greek tradition; shoe store makes way for Planet Fitness
Greek tragedy: Sunday marked the end of a decades-long run of Greek cuisine served on the island by the Kriticos family. That’s when Larry and Roxann Kriticos closed Kritikos Grill, 4908 Seawall Blvd. in Galveston. Kritikos Grill on Seawall Boulevard has officially closed. The couple opened Kritikos Grill in November 2019 in the site of the original Olympia Grill, which the family opened about 23 years ago.
Biz Buzz: Celebrity couple saves another Galveston building; Ace Hardware nails down League City site
Progress report: Celebrity developers Michael and Ashley Cordray are predicting a first-quarter 2027 completion of extensive renovations at The Rosenberg Building, 201 20th St. in Galveston’s downtown. Ashley and Michael Cordray are restoring the historic 1878 Rosenberg Building on The Strand in downtown Galveston.
Biz Buzz: Galveston gravestone maker prepares for the end; island boutique to close
Business epitaph: A 172-year-old Galveston business known for custom gravestones and other memorial markers will officially close at month’s end as an industry focused on death faces its own mortality. The Ott family has sold the Broadway property that has long been the headquarters of Ott Monument Works in Galveston. Ott Monument Works, 3928 Broadway, was set Friday to manufacture its last custom creations, said Danny Ott, who, with his sister Linda Ott-Thompson, runs the family owned company.
Biz Buzz: Big changes ahead for historic downtown building; Santa Fe couple debut tree-lined hangout
Building buy: A 161-year-old building in downtown Galveston that once served as a blacksmith and carriage business has new owners and a complete makeover in its future. Brian and Emily Root, known for restoring and repurposing historic island properties, have acquired The Galveston Carriage Place, 523 24th St. downtown.
He was a good friend of mine
Laura Elder I was about 4 years old when I met Jeremiah, a smoky gray puppy sleeping in my father’s hand. I stood in awe when my father let me hold him, the runt in a litter of puppies for which our neighbor Ingrid was trying to find homes. Ingrid advertised the puppies as pekapoos, a cross between a Pekingese and a miniature poodle. But my amused father early on classified Jeremiah as a “mutt with airs.” And it was true.
Biz Buzz: Mysterious beach platform to power Galveston beach club; 50-unit luxury complex makes debut
Power moves: The purpose of a stairway-style structure appearing on a privately owned Galveston beach is no longer a mystery. Workers erect a stairway on the beach across from the Grand Galvez Resort in Galveston on Monday, June 29, 2026. The platform on the beach owned by Grand Galvez, 2024 Seawall Blvd., is meant to provide power to a food truck to serve the iconic hotel's GiGi Beach Club. But it "will be far more than just a food truck," Grand Galvez owner Mark Wyant told Biz Buzz Thursday.
Breaking buzz: City explains mysterious platform on Galveston beach
Electric shock: Construction of a stairway-style structure on the beach in front of Grand Galvez, 2024 Seawall Blvd., has generated a surge of questions from islanders. After much inquiry, the city said it had issued a permit to the hotel's owners to build a structure to provide power to a food truck. "There will be two power poles installed along the seawall and a line run to an electrical box on the platform," city spokeswoman Marissa Barnett said.
American National tower buyer plans apartments, hotel at Galveston skyscraper
GALVESTON After nearly a week of suspense, the winning bidder for the 20-story American National Insurance Co. building confirmed Tuesday he and a group of investors intend to convert the office tower into an apartment complex with a possible hotel component. Developer Johnny Vassallo said plans for the 1972 American National building, from which the final tenants departed last week, were preliminary but could include student housing or some type of multi-residential complex along with a hotel.
Developer plans apartments, hotel for American National tower
GALVESTON Developer Johnny Vassallo and a group of investors have acquired the American National Insurance Co. tower downtown with plans to convert the 20-story building into an apartment complex with a hotel component, he confirmed Tuesday. Vassallo and investors also are behind the conversion of a 35-story Milwaukee office building into 373 apartments.
Bidders buy Galveston skyscraper, garage for fraction of appraised value
GALVESTON As the remaining tenants were moving out, American National Insurance Co. on Thursday confirmed the auction of its 20-story downtown island tower and connected 553-space parking garage concluded successfully Wednesday, but wouldn’t substantiate it sold the properties separately for $3.3 million and $6.2 million respectively nor would it say to whom.
Biz Buzz: Is Boot Barn scootin' into Texas City? Vietnamese sandwich shop bites into League City
Barnstorming buzz: An intriguing rumor is two-stepping across the mainland that Western-wear retail chain Boot Barn plans to scoot into two soon-to-be renovated restaurant spaces. LEFT: Boot Barn is rumored to planning to combine the current Baytown Seafood restaurant and the vacant space once occupied by Gus’ into a new Boot Barn location in Texas City.
CenterPoint equipment malfunction leaves thousands without power on Galveston's West End
GALVESTON Many thousands of people west of 99th Street have been without power since about 11:30 p.m. because of a serious malfunction of CenterPoint Energy’s West End substation. CenterPoint Energy at about 7:30 a.m. said more than 11,000 customers in Galveston were without power because wind-blown salt spray from Tropical Storm Arthur damaged transmission equipment. The company couldn't say when the power might be restored.
Biz Buzz: Pop Diggity
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Biz Buzz: UTMB Health not among bidders for Galveston skyscraper; isle's downtown gets saltier
Looming questions: As the June 22 auction of American National Insurance Co.’s 20-story downtown skyscraper and a connected 553-space parking garage nears, speculation about who will bid is rampant. American National Insurance Co.'s 20-story office tower in downtown Galveston goes up for auction soon. Interests representing the University of Texas Medical Branch will not be among the bidders, sources said.
Soaking up summer
Laura Elder Summer has arrived on the upper Texas coast with its usual signals — lazy days at the pool, longer evenings and even longer ferry lines. Seawall traffic in Galveston has become a slow parade of golf carts and slingshots blaring everything from hip-hop to country music. Locals have noticed longer waits at their favorite haunts and there’s a shared sense life should be lived a little more fully and slowly from May to September.
Biz Buzz: League City reels in custom rod store; twins debut coastal clothing shop
Dropping lines: While a monumental disruption to the economy, the pandemic marked an unprecedented surge in business creation with startups broadly split into two categories — those solving sudden, practical problems and those fueled by newfound downtime and shifting consumer hobbies. Newly opened Vega Rods, 1857 W. Main S. in League City, was born from the latter circumstance. Nick and Tristan Vega have opened Vega Rods, specializing in hand-crafted, custom fishing rods, in League City.
Fertitta Entertainment buys Las Vegas Strip icon for $6 billion
A company owned and grown by Galveston-born billionaire Tilman Fertitta announced Thursday it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire iconic hospitality and gaming company Caesars Entertainment for about $6 billion. The all-cash transaction is valued at about $17.6 billion, including the assumption of about $11.9 billion of Caesar's outstanding debt.
Biz Buzz: Downtown Galveston venue owners plan big reveal; Fat Cat Bakery debuts seawall shop
Mystery on Market: After months of suspense, island entrepreneurs are planning a mid-June reveal of the transformed downtown venue formerly known as The Proletariat Gallery, 2221 Market St. Becky Major and partners are planning to unveil their new concept, Earline’s Downtown Dive, at the former Proletariat site, 2221 Market Street in downtown Galveston.
American National sets basement price for Galveston skyscraper
GALVESTON American National Insurance Co. will auction off its 20-story tower for a fraction of a $36 million appraised value, while opening the possibility of selling the connected 553-space parking garage separately at a higher price.
Private equity firm forecloses on iconic Galveston hotel, plans extensive renovations
GALVESTON A private equity firm said Monday it had foreclosed on and taken outright ownership of an iconic 92-room seawall hotel signaling possible salvation of a property that has been deteriorating before Galveston’s disbelieving eyes.
Buzz alert: MOD Ice Cream serves up soft opening in Galveston's downtown
Soft serve: It’s happening. After months of work, island businessman Chris Homer is serving up a “very soft” opening of Mod Ice Cream, 2120 Postoffice St. downtown next to MOD Coffeehouse. Homer, who acquired the 25-year-old Mod Coffee House last year from Holly Hopkins, ventured into the ice cream parlor business earlier this year by leasing space left empty in early February when popular Hey Mikey’s shocked fans by closing for good.
Sealy & Smith gives $4M to support nursing students, ease workforce shortages in Galveston
GALVESTON The Sealy & Smith foundation has given the University of Texas Medical Branch $4 million to establish a scholarship program meant to strengthen the nursing workforce by removing financial and housing barriers for students, officials announced Thursday.
American National puts Galveston's only downtown skyscraper up for sale
GALVESTON American National Insurance Co. on Wednesday put its 20-story downtown office tower on the market for sale, the company said. American National Group Inc. — a holding company for a group of insurance companies with $30 billion in assets — last week said it would depart Galveston in June, leaving an island that had been home to its headquarters for more than 120 years.
American National puts 20-story Galveston tower up for sale
GALVESTON American National Insurance Co. today put its 20-story downtown office tower on the market for sale, the company said. American National Group Inc. — a holding company for a group of insurance companies with $30 billion in assets — last week said it would depart Galveston in June, leaving the island that had been home to its headquarters for more than 120 years.
Biz Buzz Alert: Authentic French bakery pre-heats for Friday opening on Galveston's East End
Sacré bleu! For all those islanders craving croissants and European-style pastries — here’s some delicious buzz. Along with pastries, Bleu Sucré will serve French onion soup, sandwiches, coffee and teas, Couture told Biz Buzz on Tuesday. Couture, from Nice, France, is real estate agent with Nan & Co. Properties. She has hired a chef who will use traditional techniques to make the authentic and artisan pastries, she said.
Biz Buzz: Texas' oldest chamber finds permanent home; Walmart in La Marque gets major makeover
Ground floor: Texas’ oldest chamber of commerce has acquired a permanent home in one of the island’s most notable and enduring areas of commerce — The Strand National Historic Landmark District. Gina Spagnola, right, president and CEO of the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce, talks with architect Brax Easterwood and Robert Evans about the chamber’s new space in the historic 1870 Magle Building on The Strand in Galveston on Wednesday.
American National to empty 20-story downtown Galveston tower by June
GALVESTON American National Insurance Co., with more than 120 years of island history, will close its Galveston headquarters by the end of June, moving about 150 employees to League City and Houston offices, the company told employees Monday.
American National to empty 20-story Galveston tower by June, letter says
GALVESTON American National Insurance Co. with more than 120 years of island history will close its Galveston headquarters, moving several hundred employees to League City and Houston offices by the end of June, the company told employees Monday. The move leaves Galveston with a with a 20-story office tower at One Moody Plaza.
Texas Managing Editors honors Daily News for 2025 work
EL PASO Daily News staff members took home some of the state’s top journalism awards from the 2026 Texas Managing Editors annual convention held in El Paso over the weekend. Each year the Texas Managing Editor awards recognize the best work in Texas journalism, including writing, design and photography. "I am so proud of this newsroom and the work they have produced," Daily News Publisher Michelle Robinson said. "Congratulations to all winners." Daily News Editor Michael A.
Biz Buzz: Galveston's oldest Italian restaurant hits refresh; Dickinson's newest grocer gets ready
Mamma Mia! Fans of Mario’s Ristorante, 2202 61st St. on the island, might want to spend the weekend getting their pizza and pasta fixes because the eatery plans to close Monday temporarily before returning with a fresh interior and a few new menu items. Mario’s Ristorante on 61st Street in Galveston is about to get a refreshed interior and some new menu items.
Richard Flowers, visionary behind Galveston's San Luis Salute, dies at 75
Richard Flowers, a world renowned event planner and visionary behind Galveston's lavish San Luis Salute, died last week. He was 75. Flowers in 1985 founded The Events Company, which in 2003 became part of the Fertitta Entertainment conglomerate owned by island-born Tilman Fertitta. As the creative force behind The Events Company, Flowers established the division as a premier producer of high-profile, luxury events for Fertitta Entertainment’s portfolio and its global clientele.
Biz Buzz: Galveston eatery debuts live music venue; celebrity couple buys historic downtown building
Alley-oop: After weeks of work and much anticipation, outdoor patio and live music venue AlleyKatz will officially and grandly open Sunday in the alley at the popular SkyKatZ Deli & Bakery, 1528 Ave. L. ShyKatz owner Kathryne Kearns has opened AlleyKatz, a new outdoor patio that will host live music, at her Galveston restaurant. AlleyKatz already has been celebrating its debut with live music this weekend.
Demolition begins on blighted Gulf-front apartment complex on Galveston's seawall
GALVESTON Nearly a year after managers told tenants to leave the Antigua Apartments, crews have begun demolishing the blighted buildings with prime Gulf views. The city on March 19 issued a demolition permit to property owner Antiqua Apartments LLC. It was unclear precisely when demolition began, but crews using excavators on Monday already had begun tearing down a section of the 18-building complex.
Biz Buzz: More major retailers appear headed for La Marque; Hitchcock lands a sweet new shop
Retail roundup: For everyone tracking all the major retailers planning La Marque stores, here’s fresh buzz: Shown is an image of what Shops at La Marque might look like built out on about 17 acres at the former Gulf Greyhound Park. Although unconfirmed, Ross Dress for Less and PetSmart are listed in a conceptual rendering of the planned 200,000-square-foot center on 17 acres called Shops of La Marque being developed at the former Gulf Greyhound Park, 3001 FM 1764.
UTMB to recruit thousands for landmark heart study in Galveston County
GALVESTON The University of Texas Medical Branch has begun recruiting thousands of people for its Galveston Heart Study, a major population health research initiative designed to follow volunteers over many years to better understand how cardiovascular health, brain health and aging intersect. Led by the Sealy Heart and Vascular Institute at the medical branch, the long‑term study will become one of the largest and most inclusive cardiovascular research efforts in Texas, officials said.
Biz Buzz: HomeGoods bound for La Marque; spicy Tia Juanita rumors fly in Texas City
Off to the races: Is La Marque’s former greyhound racing track soon to become a mainland shopping destination? It’s a good bet. Retailer HomeGoods is the fourth tenant in as many weeks to announced plans to open a store at Shops of La Marque, a planned retail center on 17 acres at the site of the former Gulf Greyhound Park, 3001 FM 1764.
Tracing our coastal cowboy connections
Laura Elder After my father’s death in 2017, I came into possession of a dusty, burgundy-colored three-ring binder thick with his family history. From that collection of papers, I learned for the first time of my connection to coastal cowboys and the development of what now is League City. That connection comes from my ancestor Needham W. Coward. I’m not quite sure how I’m kin to him — I haven’t mastered cousin calculations.
Biz Buzz: Crews break ground on Lilac Field in League City; Burlington, Marshalls head to La Marque
Field day: Dignitaries and city leaders gathered Friday to ceremoniously break ground on the 300,000-square-foot Lilac Field Business Park on nearly 25 acres at the intersection of state Highway 96 and state Highway 146 on Isla Vista Drive in League City. Dignitaries and business leaders gathered Friday for the ceremonial ground breaking of Lilac Field Business Park in League City.
Biz Buzz: MOD to open ice cream parlor in Galveston downtown; Dickinson eatery denied six-figure ask
Sweet scoop: A long-established downtown coffee house is entering the ice cream parlor business by leasing space left empty in early February when popular Hey Mikey’s shocked fans by closing for good. Chris Homer, owner of MOD Coffeehouse, has leased the Hey Mikey’s space next door with plans to open under the Mod Ice Cream brand in mid-April.
Breaking Biz Buzz: French bakery to take over PattyCakes space in Galveston's East End
Hey sugar: Islanders are abuzz this week about a sweet development at the building formerly occupied by PattyCakes Bakery, 704 14th St. Bleu Sucré French Bakery by the Sea, according to social media posts, is preheating for an opening at the building left empty in October. Owners weren’t immediately available for comment, but Biz Buzz is following a trail of tasty conjecture, including that the owner hails from the French Riviera and workers have been spotted at the site.
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