Galveston’s got a bustling downtown shopping and restaurant district and GM has added a new column to keep its readers up to date on what’s new and cool in G-town. Whether you are looking for a sassy boutique or a bite to eat, be sure to check What’s New before planning your day downtown.

SUGAR & RYE

This new island eatery opened in February 2023 and serves up American coastal cuisine. Sugar & Rye is a concept created from a well-rounded threesome: an interior designer, a builder, and a restaurant manager with 25 years of experience in the industry.

Guests are greeted by stunning décor representing an era of class that is seldom captured with such clarity. Guests may also be greeted with a “Hey there! I’m Sugar,” from the restaurant’s namesake and co-owner Emily Root’s dad, a long-time Galvestonian who is a steady fixture in the restaurant.

‘Rye’ is for managing partner Ryan Olsem and represents the restaurant’s signature Old Fashioned cocktail which is made with rye. The third proprietor is Brian Root, Emily’s husband and a building contractor who has lived on the island for decades.

Don’t be intimidated by Olsem’s six-foot-five-inch frame; he’s very approachable and looks forward to meeting guests and hearing their comments. He is also building a community-friendly fundraising calendar for schools and non-profit organizations in the neighborhood. “We want to be a friend to the community,” Olsem said.

“We welcome school participation in fundraising events, and we’re in the process of scheduling adoption events with the Galveston Island Humane Society on our patio.”

Pets are welcome in their outdoor seating area, as long as they are leashed, and pets and their owners are encouraged to attend the Sunday Yappy Hour complete with a pet-friendly menu. If you have your heart set on outdoor seating, it would be wise to call first as the patio is sometimes closed due to inclement weather.

The building, a 1900 Storm survivor, once housed the old M & M Restaurant and went through massive renovations before opening.

“My attempt when decorating this historic building was to keep with the appropriateness of its age yet bring in style and grace. The glass doors allow ambient, natural light that leaves the space glowing. We incorporated the Martinique wallpaper to bring in the right amount of warmth to make sure it was still an intimate space. Designer lighting is always like the perfect earring that makes the outfit. The birds of paradise fixtures and chinoiserie lanterns are spectacular and the feathers finish off the space with flair,” Emily said.

“Our ultimate hope was for our guests to feel comfortable while listening to the piano, but also feel special in an environment we created especially for them.”

Fresh flowers and complimentary house-made pimiento cheese and crackers at every table are just two examples of the owners’ attention to detail. Early menu favorites include the fried green tomatoes served over spicy cornbread and a decadent, but somehow lighter version, of biscuits and gravy.

The tongue-in-cheek signature cocktail menu includes the “Take Me to Church… Street,” featuring Sazerac rye, smoked cherry simple syrup and Mexican chocolate bitters. Or if the shoe fits, try the “Islander By Choice,” made with Havana Club Anejo Blanco rum, house-made banana syrup, pineapple juice and lime.

The owners are keeping it local. Flowers are purchased from Island Flowers, shrimp from Galveston Shrimp Company, smoked brisket from Koop’s BBQ Kitchen, fresh seafood from Katie’s Seafood Market, and herbs and edible cocktail flowers from a local grower.

Don’t leave without a selfie with the resident moose mascot that once graced the walls of the old restaurant’s cigar room or without saying “hey” to Sugar Hanson, who is likely to be in house.

For those who are looking for a unique place to stay in the downtown area, six rooms are available upstairs at the boutique hotel Sugar’s Inn.

Sugar & Rye is located at 2401 Church Street, with the entrance on 24th Street. For hours of operation, reservations and daily specials, call 409.539.5318 or visit www.sugarandryegalveston.com.

THE MUSEUM STORE

There is something for everyone at this fun and educational spot that is home to a variety of unique collectibles, fossils and antiquities that would be perfect for display in any coastal home. The Museum Store opened in March and is a sister store to The Fossil Gallery that opened in 2019.

Both stores are owned and operated by brothers and island residents David and Hernan Contreras. The Contreras’ have been dealers of specialty fish fossils for more than 12 years and sell only high-quality, legally obtained fossils and antiquities.

“Our fish fossils are naturally occurring, museum-quality specimens,” David said. “We get our fossils from the same source as the Houston Museum of National Science.”

Every nook and cranny of these shops is filled with collectors’ pieces ranging in price from $20 to $20,000. Marine-oriented home décor including fossilized starfish, stingrays, snails, and squid-like sea creatures that lived thousands of years ago are mounted professionally on stands or wall-ready hooks for display.

There are dozens of spectacular shells from the Philippines and gigantic teeth from extinct sharks “as big as an 18-wheeler that could eat an Orca in five bites,” David said.

Other pieces include Peruvian butterflies encased for the collector, geodes from Uruguay that are so pure they have not been treated, baby and juvenile mammoth tusks from Siberia, coral, agate slices, quartz, keepsake boxes, desk toppers, and coffee table items.

There are meteorites from the second largest shower to ever hit earth, estimated to be 4-5,000 years old and a slew of trilobites, the first-known fossil of an animal with eyes.

Much of their inventory comes from a local professor of archaeology who sold off his collection. More was acquired from high-end dealers from overseas.

“We were educated by antiquity dealers from all over the world,” David said. The Contreras brothers are often behind the counter in one of the shops daily. Don’t hesitate to ask them anything at all; their knowledge is vast and they are happy to share it.

The fossils on display are complex and unusual. According to David, paleontologists say every inch of limestone layering is equal to approximately 50,000 years in time. The further the fossil is recessed, the older it is.

“None of these fish lived at the same time,” David said of the art pieces on display. One of his favorites feature a stingray fossil and a palm flower - neither of which existed during the same time period.

If you are looking for beachy-themed artwork that you can’t find anywhere else in the Houston area, or you want to entertain the little folks for a bit, visit these two very unique shops. Don’t forget to ask for your free souvenir shark tooth.

The Museum Store is located at 415 22nd Street, between Postoffice and Market streets. Fossil Galaxy is located just around the corner at 2208 Postoffice. Both locations are open daily from noon to 6pm. For more information visit www.fossilgalaxy.com.

THE OLD OLEANDER

This new concept is part country store, part grocery, and part bistro and was created by Charles Lehnhoff and partner/head chef Bryan “Chops” Soliz. A soft opening was held during Galveston’s spring break holiday, and Old Oleander is expected to open with full hours in early April.

Lehnhoff said his goal was to create a local grocery in the downtown area that also sold bistro-style sandwiches and gourmet, New York-style pizza by the slice.

“Downtown residents don’t have a local place to shop for quality groceries. All other options are miles outside of the neighborhood,” said Lehnhoff. “Our goal was to create a space where people could shop for food and sundries and stay for a great meal and live music.”

The Old Oleander occupies the former Old Strand Emporium inside the historic Hendley Building on Strand Street. The market will carry dry goods, sundries, and high-quality produce.

Soliz’s rotating menu is based on seasonal ingredients from around the country. “We sell Washington apples, Georgia peaches and all other items in their peak season,” Soliz said.

Those seasonal items will also be featured in sandwiches and pizzas. Customers can expect gourmet toppings like prosciutto and pears in their sammies and on their slices.

Soliz’s menu includes his own version of hot-pressed sandwiches, like his Texas take on the classic Cuban, called the “Texicana” and “Smokey and the Baguette” featuring house-smoked chicken breast with roasted red peppers, black pepper maple bacon, pecan smoked cheddar (also house smoked) pepper Jack cheese, and his original chipotle aioli. Beer and wine are also available.

Fresh produce and meats and cheeses will be offered in the grocery case, and local artists will be showcased on the walls and on the shelves. An assortment of vendors’ goods, like hand-made soaps and creams, will be sold on consignment throughout the shop.

Live music and open mic nights are in the works. You can also rent the space for a special event. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.

Old Oleander is located at 2016 Strand Street. For more information or for hours of operation, call 409.209.1770 or visit www.oldoleander.com.

Are you opening a new business or creating a new branch for an established Galveston business? Send your details to info@galvestonmonthly.com for consideration.