Four island businesses have expanded just in time for the busy summer season. Two retail businesses on the island have opened up a second location downtown: Gaby & Grace in the historic Hutchings, Sealy & Co. Building and Simply Twisted 2 on Postoffice Street. 

 Similarly, a popular bar and a restaurant have both added new options to their already successful endeavors: Daiquiri Time Out opened the island’s first true speakeasy in decades and Mr. Taco is adding a Colombian eatery to their franchise of restaurants. 

 THE PINEAPPLE PARLOR
Daiquiri Time Out (DTO) owner Brad Stringer said the idea for a “Speaky Tiki” bar was always on the table. Nearly a decade after opening DTO at 2701 Market Street, the island’s newest speakeasy, The Pineapple Parlor, opened its doors. 

 Throughout Prohibition, alcoholic beverages were illegally sold and consumed in secret. The idea behind the name “speakeasy” was used to give entry into top secret bars and clubs when it was illegal.

 Today, the idea is recreated to emit a sense of mystery and exclusivity. In its heyday, Galveston Island was littered with illegal bars and gambling dens; the infamous Balinese Room most notably among them. 

 The entrance to The Pineapple Parlor is located off the back patio of DTO. There, you will find a pineapple on a special door, under which there is a code box. When you sign up for their free newsletter, you will receive the current code that is used to access the new tiki-style speakeasy bar. 

 A new code and newsletter are released about every six weeks. A host will greet you upon entry where you can make your reservation for one of the 12 seats at the bar. 

 Buzzers are given to those waiting for seats at the bar and customers are encouraged to have a cocktail on either of their outdoor patios (the new rooftop patio is now seating) or inside DTO while they wait. Stringer suggests arriving by 4:45 pm on a Sunday or Monday afternoon to snag a seat at the bar. 

 Reservations for the tiki hut booths that seat up to 10 people can be made online and are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are thinking of hosting a get-together in one of the two tiki hut booths, don’t delay making a reservation. At press time, there was already a two-week waiting list for booth seating. 

 The pineapple is a sign of hospitality and that is the vibe Stringer and his design team were going for when creating the new parlor. 

 “I’ve been studying craft cocktails for a decade and have come to appreciate different eras of cocktail making,” Stringer said. “Tiki became popular in the United States after WWII and the era of tiki lounges, and its cocktails has long intrigued me. DTO’s menu covers pre-prohibition drinks, all the way to modern classics.”

 “The concept of Tiki has always been a strong influence at DTO. With Pineapple Parlor, we take the idea of tiki-all-the-way from our layout, design, and artwork to the addition of new food options.” 

 Stringer suggests you bring your appetite to The Pineapple Parlor, as each drink is served with a small plate of food. The menu will change two to three times a year, as they experiment with classic and signature dishes to match their equally creative craft cocktail menu. 

 The Pineapple Parlor is open Thursday through Monday, from 5 pm to 11 pm, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Come without the kids as both DTO bars are strictly 21 and over, and pets are allowed outdoors only and must be leashed. 

 For more information, please call 409.497.2760. To sign up for the DTO newsletter, visit www.dtogalveston.com. 

 PARCEROS COLOMBIAN RESTAURANT
Brothers and business partners Ray Fuentes and Luis Plata are opening their fourth Galveston eatery. Their latest endeavor, Parceros Colombian Restaurant, includes a Colombian-inspired menu and will be opening next door to their Mr. Taco location on Seawall Boulevard.

 The new restaurant was inspired by their customers, said Fuentes. “We ask our clients all the time about what kinds of food items they’d like us to add to the menu. Oftentimes the answer came back that they’d like to see classic Colombian entrees. So, we took over the store next door [to Mr. Taco], knocked out walls, and updated and extended our kitchen to accommodate our customer base.” 

 The two restaurants may share a dining room and an after-hours Latino dance club, but the nuances between Mexican and Colombian cuisines will be maintained, Fuentes said. 

 “It’s a different cuisine and we will respect it as such,” he said. “We have Mexican chefs cooking our Mexican food and we hired Colombian chefs to cook our Colombian food.” 

 The new restaurant will feature classic Colombian street food including Arepas which are made with cheese and cornmeal and panfried until golden brown. The Arepa is enjoyed as a side dish or crowned with a variety of toppings. 

 Other Colombian specialties include the Pappas Rellenos, a dish of mashed potatoes stuffed with beef, cheese, or chicharrones, then rolled and fried; and Tostones, ripe plantains that are twice fried and served as a savory side. 

 Specialty hot dogs will receive star treatment on the new menu. Ten variations of all-beef sausages will be served on buns created by a local panaderia, or Mexican bakery. Tropical toppings will include mango pico de gallo, caramelized pineapple, fried plantains, pickled cabbages, and special creamy dressings, highlighted from different South American countries. 

 Parceros Colombian Restaurant is located at 4114 Seawall Boulevard, next to Mr. Taco and Limon Paradise, also owned by the brothers. The second Mr. Taco location will continue to operate at 120 20th Street in downtown Galveston and a new Texas City location will open soon and feature the largest selection of tequila in the State of Texas.

 The new Colombian restaurant is scheduled to open in early June. For more information, please call 409.682.6689. 

GABY & GRACE
A new downtown location for this retail shop has opened in the historic Hutchings, Sealy & Co. Building on Strand Street. For owner Gaby Zatarain, opening a retail space downtown has been a long-time goal. 

 Gaby & Grace launched its first effort in the west-end subdivision of Evia on Galveston Island with the purpose of bringing original, hand-made accessories to shoppers, a mission that Zatarain says will continue in the Strand Street location. 

 “We will continue to offer our customers original and unique accessories that are handcrafted with care and purpose and celebrate coastal charm,” she said. 

 “Our curated accessory collections cater to all style needs, whether you are a busy mother, professional woman, or simply someone who appreciates timeless beauty. Our pieces deliver style, elegance, and functionality,” said Zatarain who designs her own jewelry line and curates all other accessories like hand-made hats from Guatemala and a unique collection of purses from around the world. 

 Zatarain is thrilled to be housed in a historic building that sits in the heart of Galveston’s downtown district. 

 “The building is stunning, and I am lucky they forged a space for me. This location is great for after-beach or after-meal shopping,” said Zatarain about the building that has undergone remodeling over the last two years. 

 Gaby & Grace’s earrings, bracelets, and necklaces feature a coastal style. “I am constantly inspired by Galveston’s beach-chic style and love to create seaside-inspired jewelry,” Zatarain said of her original designs. 

 Gaby & Grace is located at 2326 Strand Street, Suite 150, and is open every day in season. For more information, please call 409.465.9661 or visit www.gabyandgrace.com. 

 SIMPLY TWISTED BOUTIQUE 2
Owner Linda Kelledy decided that both of her Postoffice Street Simply Twisted boutiques would feature an ever-evolving selection of new brands every two months, ensuring that her customers can always find something fresh and exciting. 

 The new location opened in April and boasts a whopping 20 additional lines, with a higher focus on men’s fashions.

 “We're especially proud to be expanding our men's section, featuring sought-after brands like Johnny O, Fish Hippie, and Gen Teal. And speaking of expansion, our new shop is a spacious 1,400 square feet larger than the original storefront.” 

 Fifteen years after opening her first location, Kelledy said her commitment to blending focus and fun has only deepened. “Galveston is where our roots run deep. This coastal gem has been a family destination for us for generations, making it the perfect place to establish our business and create our family legacy.” 

 Both retail spaces blend focus and fun to curate a selection of mid-to-high-end and casual wear for men, women, and youth, along with jewelry, home goods, and everyday essentials. 

 “What truly sets us apart is our commitment to bringing you unique brands from around the globe. Take, for instance, Me 369 - an Israeli-grown brand that adds an exclusive touch to your wardrobe like no other. And as if that weren't enough, we're also broadening our horizons in the home section, offering an exquisite range of décor, candles, and linens to add a touch of chic sophistication to any space. Join us on our mission to add a touch of style, joy, and coastal vibes to every wardrobe and home.” 

 Simply Twisted 2 is located at 2115A Postoffice Street. For more information and hours of operation, please visit www.simplytwistedboutique.com.