Press Releases

Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches is opening a location in downtown Galveston. A Jimmy John’s franchise will lease property from Mitchell Historic Properties (MHP) at 102 22nd Street near Harborside Drive and adjacent to Starbucks. MHP has agreed to build a 1,600 sq. ft. shop in a portion of the parking lot.

Y’ARRR sure to enjoy Galveston’s newest family attraction – Pirates! Legends of the Gulf Coast. Visitors can now see pirates as well as ghosts in historic downtown Galveston with the grand opening of Pirates! Legends of the Gulf Coast on Friday, Jan. 27. Pirates! adjoins Galveston’s year-round Haunted Mayfield Manor which opened in September. Both attractions, owned by Joyce McLean, are adjacent to Saengerfest Park, 2302 Strand, and are tenants of Mitchell Historic Properties.

Popular florist Downtown Blooms is moving to an expanded location this February. The new location, which is 2,840 sq. ft., is located at 2309 Mechanic Street on the first floor of the historic 1858 Berlocher Building and owned by Mitchell Historic Properties.

The Galveston Chamber of Commerce is moving to a new downtown office this spring. The Chamber’s new office, which is nearly 4,000 sq. ft., is located at 2228 Mechanic Street on the first floor of the 1873 Washington Building at the corner of 23rd and Mechanic which is owned by Mitchell Historic Properties. In addition to housing staff, the new Chamber office will offer an interactive visitor center and a conference room for meetings and small business seminars.

Playing off the fears of others is not only entertaining for some but for Leonard Pickle it’s his career. In his sophomore year of college at Texas A & M University Leonard produced his first commercial haunted house. With a budget of $300 and a $0.50 per person admission price, the operation grossed over $1,000. His passion for scaring people was ignited.

Halloween fun will come alive in historic downtown Galveston with the Saengerfest Mini Monster Bash on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Saengerfest Park, 2302 Strand. The Saengerfest Mini Monster Bash, a family friendly Halloween carnival, offers a costume contest at 3 p.m., assorted games with prizes, and trick or treating at various downtown businesses from 2 to 4 p.m.

Following The 1900 Storm, which still stands as the deadliest natural disaster in United States history, thousands of bodies were stored in numerous buildings in Galveston’s downtown. This designation has resulted in Galveston being cited by ghost hunters as one of the most haunted cities in America. Now, in addition to the island’s popular ghost tours, visitors can enjoy a new permanent haunted house – Haunted Mayfield Manor which opens tonight at 6 p.m.

Gracie’s offers a fun family shopping experience to both visitors and locals to Galveston Island. Specializing in gifts, home accents and accessories, Gracie’s carries several lines including Vera Bradley bags and Waxing Poetic jewelry. They also have an extensive children’s department which includes toys, books and accessories, including the Groovy Girls line.

Shoppers can now enjoy a new retailer - The Jewel Garden on The Strand National Historic Landmark District in historic downtown Galveston. The Jewel Garden, owned by the Yeatman family, opened in July. The shop carries unique gifts, décor and, as the name suggests, a broad range of jewelry.

Head to Footsies is a Galveston favorite for women specializing in shoes, as well as clothing and accessories. After the original Footsies location was destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008, co-owner, Joyce McLean, decided to reopen on her own. This time, McLean decided to expand to a place where “literally we can dress ‘Head to Footsies’ a teenage girl and her great grandmother.”