Galveston is buzzing with excitement as a wave of new businesses opens their doors, adding fresh energy and unique offerings to the island’s vibrant community. Among the latest additions are Anchored Antiques, a treasure trove for vintage lovers; Hendley Wine Co., a haven for wine enthusiasts; and Pup Supply Store, catering to our furry friends.
Additionally, the beloved Mom’s Farm To Table has found a new home on the east end, continuing its tradition of supporting local farmers and creatives in selling their goods, and now offering artisan sandwiches and salads made from farm-fresh, locally sourced items. These new ventures are set to enrich Galveston’s diverse landscape, offering residents and visitors alike even more reasons to explore and enjoy the island.
New Downtown Antique Shop
Alex Castro and Todd Weaver opened Anchored Antiques to provide an affordable place for the whole family to shop. The new antique store is located at 2002 Strand Street, Suite 103, at the corner of 20th Street in the Hendley Building and across the street from the Peanut Butter Warehouse.
The shop offers an assortment of antiques and gifts for all ages and walks of life. Customers will find vintage LPs, bar signs perfect for the man cave, clocks, dolls, furniture, organic oils, and many more unique items in a welcoming space.
Castro and Weaver are island residents who have worked in the antique and gift business for three years. The duo currently own and operate a business in Mineral Wells, Texas, about an hour west of Fort Worth.
They opened this new business in Galveston because it is “such a relaxing atmosphere with kind people,” Castro said.
“Galveston has always been a place we wanted to call home. When the opportunity presented itself [to move and open a business here,] we took the leap of faith,” he said.
Castro said the products that they offer at Anchored Antiques are geared for the whole family.
“We know our primary clientele will be locals and we wanted to provide a place for them to shop for items that were affordable,” Castro said. “We also want to appease tourism and the likelihood of [visitors] coming back to visit our beautiful city.”
Castro and Weaver are grateful for the overwhelming support they have received in Galveston. The duo plans to open a smoothie and dessert bar in the future as well expanding their antique shop.
Anchored Antiques is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10am to 6pm, Sundays from 12pm to 6pm, and closed on Mondays. For more information and a schedule of special events, like Ladies’ Night Out, visit them on Facebook and Instagram.
Hendley Wine Co. Opens
A new boutique wine bar opened late last month in the heart of Galveston in the iconic Hendley Row Building at 2016 The Strand.
The Hendley Building, recognized as the oldest standing commercial structure in Galveston, provides a unique setting for Hendley Wine Co. This new venue promises to be a premier destination for wine enthusiasts and casual sippers alike.
Co-founded by Jacqueline Castaneda and David Martinez, Hendley Wine Co. combines a passion for exceptional wines with the charm of one of Galveston's most historic landmarks.
Castaneda has an extensive background in hospitality, sales, and marketing. Martinez is a seasoned entrepreneur with a flair for innovative wine-tasting experiences who was the owner of the former Old Oleander in the same location. Together they have created a unique and inviting atmosphere.
"We are thrilled to bring Hendley Wine Co. to such a historically rich location," Castaneda said.
"The Hendley Building's storied past and architectural beauty offer a perfect backdrop for our vision of a sophisticated, yet relaxed, wine experience. We are excited to host private wine tastings, private parties, and events," she said.
The venue will feature a carefully curated selection of local, national, and international wines, complemented by a menu of artisanal cheese boards, charcuterie, and gourmet sandwiches.
Hendley Wine Co. will host its grand opening event on October 5, with festivities including music, wine specials, and exclusive promotions. The event will be a celebration of the rich heritage of the Hendley Building and an exciting new chapter of Galveston’s wine culture, Castaneda said.
"We wanted to create a space that celebrates our love for wine but also honors the history of our location," Martinez said. "We’re excited to welcome locals and visitors to experience the ambiance and quality of Hendley Wine Co. in our new tasting room."
For more information about Hendley Wine Co., including hours of operation, special events, and reservations, visit their website at www.hendleywineco.com or follow them on social media.
Pup Supply Store Opens
Snuggle Pup Studio is a new vendor in the Peanut Butter Warehouse Boutiques located at 100 20th Street. The new pet supply store offers custom feeders and waterers, leash organizers, toy boxes, signs, and more for dog lovers.
Owner Sheri Czekanski researched the best quality products available on the market, so the treats, ice cream, cake mixes, paw butters, cologne, and PupCakes are excellent and safe for your pets, she said.
“We wanted to bring quality products at a fair price to people who love their dogs as much as we do,” said Czekanski who owns the business with her husband Shawn Spann.
Czekanski is a self-described “people person with a deep love for four-legged souls.”
“I love talking with folks and enjoy meeting their pets just as much,” she said.
Snuggle Pup Studio started in 2021 with the couple’s first craft show in October and they opened as a vendor in the Peanut Butter Warehouse this summer.
While her “management team mostly has fur and four legs,” Czekanski gained experience in event planning and festivals all over Texas before dedicating her time to Snuggle Pup Studio.
Czekanski and Spann both grew up near the island and visited often. They have long loved the island and couldn’t wait to open a shop here.
Why a pet store? “We’ve ‘adulted’ long enough and we want to do things that make us happy. And dogs make us happy,” she said.
“We’ve done our homework and, according to Forbes, 65.1 million households in the United States own at least one dog. So, we know there’s a market.”
In addition to space in the Peanut Butter Warehouse, Czekanski loves participating in the many events that Galveston already has centered around dogs and is considering hosting a few of her own.
The couple hopes to open a stand-alone shop in Galveston when they retire from their full-time jobs. They also partner with local rescues and look forward to forming a relationship with the Galveston Humane Society.
For more information about Snuggle Pup Studio, visit their website at www.snugglepupstudio.com.
Mom’s Has Moved
Mom’s Farm to Table was created to support local farmers and creatives in selling their goods. Owner Chasity Gibson continues that mission in the business’ new space at 902 Postoffice Street, at the corner of 9th Street, in the space formerly occupied by Smooth Tony’s on the island’s east end.
It is not uncommon for a new business to evolve during its first year of operation. Mom’s Farm To Table is now more suited to what the community needs, said Gibson.
“I was seeing too much waste of the local growers’ produce and products and that’s exactly what we wanted to avoid,” Gibson said.
“Our mission has not changed. We still support local growers and artists. Now I use their products to make our artisan sandwiches and salads,” she said.
“We have become a shop where surf culture and fresh ingredients collide,” Gibson said. “No frills, just tasty sandwiches, salads, smoothies, iced coffees, and iced matcha made with love for our community.
“We just love our new space. We are stoked to better support the community on the east end.”
Gibson has a special understanding of the community's needs as she lives just a few blocks away from her business with her daughter. Customers will now see art and other unique items representing the music and surfing community when they visit the store.
“We have the most beautiful macrame surfboard and skateboard holders that are handmade by local artisans,” she said.
“The work of local artists hangs on our walls, and we include jams and breads, and other foodstuffs made and grown by locals at our Farmers’ Market on Wednesdays.”
Gibson comes from a long line of Texas ranchers and farmers and was raised on fresh vegetables grown on family land and quality, ranch-raised meats. The shop, she said, is named after the many moms in her life who have passionately worked to put quality meats and produce on their tables.
“From my great-grandmother Frances to my grandmothers Pam and Jane, to my mom Nancy, there was always an emphasis put on eating fresh food,” she said.
The Farmers’ Market is held weekly on the Mom’s Farm to Table front porch. For more information, visit their website at www.momsfarmtotable.com.