Autumn has arrived on Galveston Island, bringing cooler breezes - and a fresh wave of new businesses. A coastal-inspired furniture store is now open, offering luxury pieces designed to transform outdoor spaces into cozy retreats. Two new food trucks have rolled onto the scene, one on each end of the island, both serving up fresh, locally sourced fare. 

 On Postoffice Street, a seasoned Galveston baker has launched a pastry haven, reimagining classic treats with inventive flair. Meanwhile, a beloved boutique has reopened in a beautifully restored building on The Strand, and an award-winning nail salon has unveiled its new location with expanded services and a sleek new look. 

 Galveston Outdoor Store A stylish new addition to Galveston’s west end, the Galveston Outdoor Store offers everything you need to transform your outdoor space into a coastal retreat. Specializing in high-quality, locally sourced luxury furnishings, the store blends style, durability, and coastal charm to create timeless outdoor living environments. 

 “We take pride in providing outdoor furniture that stands the test of time, designed specifically for the unique coastal environment of Galveston,” said Jonathon Geck, owner of the Outdoor Store and nearby Jamaica Beach Hardware. 

 “Whether you’re furnishing a beachfront patio or a cozy backyard retreat, our furniture blends authenticity with longevity, making your outdoor spaces as inviting as they are sustainable.” 

 

 Each piece is thoughtfully selected for comfort and resilience, using eco-friendly materials built to withstand salt air, humidity, and the Texas sun. 

 The store features Pawley’s Island Durawood outdoor furniture, paired with Sunbrella and Bella Dura performance fabrics. Shoppers will also find dining sets, hammocks, Adirondack chairs, rugs, umbrellas, and more. 

 An assortment of grills - from compact, colorful models to full-size Weber Genesis units - is available, along with smokers, pellet grills, and a wide range of grilling and beach accessories. 

 Owner Jonathon Geck lives in a 1900 Storm survivor on Galveston’s east end with his wife Becky and their three children. A lifelong visitor to the island, Geck made Galveston his permanent home five years ago. 

 After acquiring Jamaica Beach Hardware, where Pawley’s Island Durawood furniture had been a popular staple for over a decade, Geck decided to open a store dedicated to the product’s coastal appeal and proven durability. 

 Tonja Rucker, General Manager and Director of Sales and Operations, grew up in Houston and has been a lifelong visitor to Galveston. She’s excited to be working on the island’s West End and looks forward to serving the community. 

 Rucker brings over 20 years of furniture experience to the team. A former small business owner herself, she spent several years managing high-end furniture stores along the North Carolina coast. She understands the unique demands of coastal living and pairs her deep industry knowledge with a professional, approachable style. 

 “I’m committed to helping customers find the right fit for each home,” Rucker said. 

 Owner Jonathon Geck graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in business entrepreneurship and finance. Owning and running a small family business has long been his dream. 

 

 Shortly after moving to Galveston, the opportunity to purchase Jamaica Beach Hardware arose. Managing that business for the past two years gave him the confidence to expand into new ventures, including JBH Pool and the Galveston Outdoor Store. 

 “Everything we carry is tough enough to take on Galveston’s weather and look great while doing it. Whether you’re kicking back on a lounger, firing up the grill, gathering around a fire pit, or needing shade under a patio umbrella, we’ve got you covered,” Geck said. 

 “And if you're fixing up a backyard, a balcony, or a beach house, we make it easy to turn your outdoor space into the kind of spot you won’t want to leave. Durable, stylish, made for good times - that’s how we do it around here.” 

 The Galveston Outdoor Store is located at 17614 Termini–San Luis Pass Road on the island’s west end, offering free local delivery and assembly on all furniture and grills. Store hours are Monday and Thursday through Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday from 12pm-4pm. 

 For assistance on Tuesday or Wednesday, or for more information, call 409.202.2166 or visit galvestonoutdoorfurniture.com. 

 Joy Nails II Caroline Le and Linh Nguyen, the husband-and-wife team behind Joy Nails, have reopened Joy Nails II in a newly renovated space just off Seawall Boulevard. Outfitted with top-of-the-line equipment and fully compliant with the latest health and safety standards, the salon offers a fresh, modern experience.

 The new location mirrors the premium products and services of their sister store on 61st Street, including an extensive selection of polish, gel, and powder options. 

 It also introduces expanded offerings such as private and group event hosting, kids’ pedicure chairs, and a luxurious head spa menu featuring scalp massage, deep cleansing, and hair steaming - designed to nourish the scalp, promote healthy growth, and relieve stress. 

 Currently, Joy Nails II can accommodate up to 12 customers, with plans to expand to 20 once renovations to the adjacent space are complete in about two months. Celebrating 12 years of service in Galveston, Joy Nails has earned first place in Galveston.com’s Readers’ Choice Awards for 11 consecutive years. 

 Joy Nails II is located at 4607 Fort Crockett Boulevard and is open Monday through Saturday from 9am-7pm, and Sunday from 11am-5 pm. Both Joy Nails locations offer 10% discounts to students and staff from UTMB, Texas A&M Galveston, Galveston College, and GISD teachers with valid ID, as well as seniors aged 60 and over. 

 Happy Hour specials run every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am-2pm. For more information, call 409.220.3381, visit joynailsgalvestonisland.com, or follow them on social media. 

 

 Katie’s Seafood House To-Go Truck The island-famous Katie’s Seafood House has launched a new food truck on Seawall Boulevard - the future site of its second restaurant location on Galveston Island. 

 Family-owned and operated, the enterprise includes the restaurant, seafood market, fishing fleet, and food truck. Derrick Gutierrez, the restaurant’s operations manager, oversees both the restaurant and the new food truck. 

 Serving up homestyle seafood dishes with a front-row view of the Gulf, the to-go truck features a menu sourced entirely from Katie’s own boats. Every fish is caught and processed in-house, ensuring freshness, sustainability, and a true taste of Galveston. 

 “Our mobile kitchen [on the Seawall] serves the freshest seafood, prepared with the same care, precision, and creativity as in our restaurant,” said Gutierrez. 

 Popular menu items include a variety of sliders - beef, shrimp burgers, snapper, and their top seller, the crab cake slider. Other favorites range from hot boiled shrimp with corn and potatoes to fish tacos, snapper ceviche, fried shrimp, crab balls, po’boys, and smoked fish fajita burritos. Party packs and big buckets of sides are also available. 

 Guests can enjoy shaded picnic tables for on-site dining or grab their food to go. Katie’s Seafood To-Go Truck is located at 1128 Seawall Boulevard and operates Friday through Sunday from 12pm to 7:30pm. Orders can be placed in person or by calling 409.795.7465. 

 Milk & Honey Baking Company Pastry chef Bethany Boedicker and her husband, Brandon, opened Galveston’s newest downtown bakery in mid-September on Postoffice Street. Longtime island residents, the Boedickers bring both culinary artistry and entrepreneurial spirit to the heart of Galveston. 

 Bethany, a professional baker for over a decade, previously served as executive pastry chef at Moody Gardens Hotel. She’s now reshaping the local pastry scene with a fresh take on modern baked goods. 

 Brandon, who owns and operates an air conditioning business, lends his expertise to the bakery’s operations. Keeping it all in the family, their teenage children also help out behind the counter. 

 Milk & Honey offers a curated mix of classic baked goods and inventive twists. Breakfast selections include honey butter cruffins, goat cheese and tomato Danish, and a playful take on the Hong Kong hot dog. Customers can enjoy a variety of ready-made sweets, custom cake orders, specialty coffees, fresh shaken teas, and lemonades. 

 Bethany’s recent win as the 11th World Food Champion at the 2024 World Food Championships gave her the financial freedom to launch the bakery - a lifelong dream now realized. She looks forward to sharing her passion with the Galveston community, one pastry at a time. 

 Milk & Honey Baking Company is located at 2220 Postoffice Street. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Thursday from 9am to 5pm, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 7pm, and Sunday from 9am to 2pm. 

 The bakery will be closed October 16–19 while Bethany competes in the 2025 baking championship. For more information, call 409.261.5731 or follow Milk & Honey on social media. 

 Patch Co Boutique owner and longtime Galveston resident Julie Roberts has reopened her popular shop downtown, offering the same high-quality clothing and accessories that Patch Co is known for. The boutique caters to all ages - from young adults to mature women - with sizes ranging from small to 3XL. 

 Roberts brings decades of retail experience to the business, having managed Dorothy May’s Boutique for several years before launching Patch Co after Dorothy May’s closed. She maintained her original location for three years before finding a space that better suited her vision. 

 “I was looking for a smaller space, and this beautiful location came up in the Thomas Jefferson League Building,” she said. 

 

 The building has undergone extensive renovations, with a full restoration of the ground level where Patch Co now resides. The boutique is filled with natural light and original architectural details that add warmth and character to the shopping experience. 

 Roberts continues to stock clothing and jewelry that is “affordable, stylish, and comfortable, and not found in other boutiques on the island.” 

 “I love this small community, and I would like customers to walk out of the store feeling great about their purchases and experience great customer service,” said Roberts. 

 “I want to thank the community for supporting my business through the years. My customers were sad to see us leave our original spot, but we are here to pick up where we left off.” 

 Patch Co is located at 2301 Strand Street, Suite 105, with its entrance off 23rd Street - just across from the big trumpet. The boutique is open Thursday through Saturday from 11am to 7pm, and Sunday from 11am to 6pm. 

 For more information, call 409.295.4066, visit patchcogalveston.com, or follow them on social media. 

 Starboard Side Café Located next to the new Galveston Outdoor Store on Termini-San Luis Pass Road, Starboard Side Café is a West End food truck owned and operated by Riley and Molly Ludwig. Raised in Houston, the Ludwigs share a deep-rooted passion for small businesses and community connection. 

 Riley, who began his restaurant career in 2007, has created a welcoming spot for home-cooked breakfast made with fresh, local ingredients. 

 “This venture is a tribute to Galveston's port legacy, symbolizing the island's history,” he said. “It's a nod to the past, a tribute to the island's resilience, and a promise to serve a quality breakfast that reflects the charm and character of this unique culture.” 

 “We found a gap in Galveston's homemade, cooked-to-order breakfast options,” Riley added, “and created a place folks can turn to without compromising quality, consistency, and freshness.” 

 Starboard Side Café is more than a small brunch spot - it’s a hub for homestyle cooking that celebrates fresh, locally sourced ingredients. 

 The menu features breakfast tacos made with homemade tortillas, hand-cut skillet potatoes, farm-raised eggs, shredded cheese, veggies and bacon from a local butcher, all served with house-made salsa. 

 Other favorites include a brunch-style BLT, a hearty breakfast bowl, hand-breaded chicken with scratch-made Belgian waffles, and classic burgers served on locally baked English muffins. The farmhouse burger comes topped with bacon and egg, and lunch plates are paired with hand-cut sweet potato fries. 

 The Ludwigs will officially become full-time Galvestonians this month. After launching their culinary venture at Galveston’s Own Farmers Market in 2024, they quickly outgrew the space and invested in a custom-built commercial food trailer. 

 By August 2025, they were permitted and ready to roll - just in time to join the grand opening of the Galveston Outdoor Store on the West End, where weekend traffic has exceeded expectations. 

 Starboard Side Café Food Truck is located at 17614 Termini-San Luis Pass Road and operates Friday through Sunday from 8am to 2pm, with plans to open earlier in the near future. A brick-and-mortar restaurant is also on the horizon. 

 For more information, call 713.399.4476, visit starboardsidecafe.com, or follow them on social media.