As the new year begins in Galveston, it brings fresh businesses, expanded favorites, and a renewed sense of momentum in the downtown district. With Galveston schools closed for an extended holiday break until mid January - three, possibly four weeks depending on the completion of the new Ball High School - more people will be out strolling, sipping, dining, and shopping throughout our vibrant business community.
The Admiralty has expanded into a second space featuring apparel and accessories for hunting and fishing, two longtime coastal pastimes. A new, one-of-a-kind venue is set to welcome guests into a space that feels like a celebration - boutique charm blended with lounge-style flair in vivid pinks.
And a popular pop-up cocktail bar is searching for a permanent home while continuing to offer personalized event services and to-go batch cocktails.
Together, these new additions - alongside Galveston’s exceptional shops, restaurants, and galleries - continue to strengthen the island’s reputation as a top shopping destination and provide visitors with a lively, welcoming place to explore all things coastal.
Admiralty Outdoors
Since 1993, Galveston’s beloved home goods and gift shop, The Admiralty on The Strand, has offered beach-inspired gifts, accessories, sea-themed jewelry, art, and home décor to customers from the Gulf Coast and beyond.
Just in time for their 32nd anniversary last month, the landmark store opened a new specialty space - Admiralty Outdoors - located in the same building, just behind the main shop. The compact, inviting room is stocked with sharp, practical accessories for hunters and anglers.
The new addition features brands such as Pimp Shrimp Clothing, Marsh Wear, Haggered Pirate, Honey Hole, and Benchmade Knives, along with Damascus steel blades.
The space carries clothing and carefully selected tools designed for life on the water and in the wilderness. With its cozy, sportsman-inspired look, Admiralty Outdoors offers thoughtful gifts and essentials for anyone who enjoys outdoor living and the coastal lifestyle.
The Admiralty is a family-owned business led by Tina LeCornu and her daughters, Leslie LeCornu and Wendy LeCornu Morgan, continuing the legacy of its founder, husband, and father, Allen.
“We are really excited to offer more options for hunters and anglers,” Wendy said. “There are so many options for women in Galveston, and we wanted to create a niche that was primarily geared toward guys.”
“Admiralty Outdoors elevates the shopping experience for outdoor apparel and accessories,” she added. “We’re happy to feature smaller brands that focus on this industry. Wives will find great gifts for their husbands and sons, as well as items for themselves, that aren’t available anywhere else.”
Admiralty Outdoors is located at 2221 The Strand in the Old Galveston Square Building and is open during regular Admiralty hours. Please check social media for updates. For more information, call 409.766.1776 or visit theadmiralty.net.
Belle’s Bubbly Bar & Boutique
Walking into the glamorous pink aesthetic of this new venue feels like stepping into a celebration. Belle’s Bubbly Bar & Boutique offers a refined experience where guests can enjoy premium wines or Prosecco while browsing a curated selection of fashion and gifts. It’s a place to shop, relax, celebrate, and create memories - all in one destination.
Belle’s Bubbly Bar & Boutique is the third Galveston-area business for husband-and-wife team Jennifer and George Pruett. Their Belle Lees Boutique locations on The Strand and in Kemah are well-established, award winning shops known for sun-kissed, coastal-themed clothing and accessories.
“We combined two favorite things of women - fashion and bubbles - to create a beautiful, champagne-inspired space dedicated to celebrating friendship, milestones, date nights, and everyday moments,” Jennifer said.
But don’t let the pink décor fool you - Belle’s was designed for everyone. It’s a trendy, upscale spot for pre-dinner drinks, a relaxing post-meal stop, or a unique destination for anyone who appreciates premium wine in a beautiful setting. Think boutique charm blended with lounge-style vibes.
Belle’s features a self-serve wine machine with a rotating selection of premium wines, along with a full Prosecco menu available by the glass or bottle. Charcuterie-style light bites will be added soon.
A private party room is also available for rental, making it ideal for bridal showers, girls’ nights out, bachelorette parties, birthdays, and intimate celebrations.
The Pruetts bring strong business backgrounds to their ventures, a foundation that has clearly contributed to their success. George’s experience spans operations, logistics, vendor relations, finance, and management, while Jennifer excels in branding, merchandising, hospitality design, and leadership.
The team at Belle’s Bubbly Bar & Boutique also holds TABC certifications and hospitality training to ensure a safe, compliant, and welcoming environment.
“We opened our first Galveston boutique on The Strand years ago, and the community welcomed us from day one. Opening Belle’s Bubbly Bar & Boutique here feels like a natural extension of that love. This has been a dream in the making for years,” Jennifer said.
“After growing Belle Lees Boutique into multiple locations, the next step was creating an experiential concept that matched our brand’s personality - fun, bubbly, warm, and celebratory.”
Belle’s Bubbly Bar & Boutique held a soft opening during Dickens on the Strand weekend, with a grand opening planned for this month. Soft-opening hours and updates will be shared on social media as they move toward a full launch.
Belle’s Bubbly Bar & Boutique is located at 2301 The Strand, Suite 103. For more information, call 409.539.5025, visit bellesbubblybargalveston.com, or follow them on social media.
Queen Margie Pop-up Bar
A new traveling cocktail bar called Queen Margie has arrived in Galveston. Hospitality expert and photographer Dmytro Velyush, along with co-owner Iryna Gray, created this fun and lively pop-up concept.
Queen Margie was temporarily located on Market Street during the holiday season, next to Freckleberry Tea & Coffee House. The bar is now on the move - available for pop-up events and actively searching for a permanent home in downtown Galveston.
The concept reflects the owners’ extensive careers in the industry, having worked at renowned cocktail bars in Galveston, Houston, and New York. Queen Margie offers a menu of thoughtfully crafted cocktails, including seasonal selections, all served in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Each pop-up features a curated lineup of cocktails, clarified and infused drinks, and playful variations inspired by the owners’ travels.
“Every cocktail is treated as both a drink and a moment,” Velyush said. “Our cocktails are designed to be photographed, shared, and create memories.”
Now expanding into event pop-ups and collaborations - and seeking a long term residence - Queen Margie continues to evolve into a modern American cocktail experience centered on heart, craft, and connection. They also offer to-go batched cocktail bottles, perfect for holiday gatherings, special events, or as a unique gift to bring to a party.
For more information, email Queen Margie at dmytrovelyush@gmail.com or follow them on Instagram at @queenmargiebar.
The Cookie Nook
Strand strollers can now enjoy fresh baked treats at The Cookie Nook, a charming walk-up window in front of the Old Galveston Square Building. Though the space is just over 30 square feet, it delivers a surprisingly wide variety of delicious, health-conscious goodies.
The Cookie Nook is owned by master pastry chef Roslyn Allen, who brings more than 30 years of baking experience, along with her husband, Allen. Roslyn’s Houston career included creating wedding cakes and working alongside stars like the Cake Boss, making this new venture a true passion project.
The shop offers organic, handcrafted cookies made in small batches to ensure wedding-cake quality in every bite. “I use the same deep, unyielding passion that I had for the large-scale baking of wedding cakes and applied it to making cookies,” Roslyn said.
The Allens are full time residents on Galveston’s West End and also own Whole Body Health Sea Moss and Wellness on the second floor of the same building.
The Cookie Nook opened last month during Galveston’s popular Dickens on The Strand festival. The walk-up window is located at 2217 The Strand.
For more information, call 281.748.5103 or follow them on social media. Current hours are Friday through Sunday, 12-7pm.