Gift shops in Galveston (West, Rule: home, garden, area)

[OzzyRules]

I was told that if I ever visit Galveston I need to check out the gift shops there. Can anyone tell me what type of stuff is sold there, or if there are any interesting shops in particular? Thanks.

[desertsun41]

There are some. Some have been washed away by IKE. They seem to sell the same ol touristy souvenir type things. Beachwear, shells, boxes and trinkets. Not that I have gone in these stores but I did look in the window. Why were these stores so recomended to you?

[OzzyRules]

I don't know why they were specifically recommended. I was talking to someone who had been to the older part of Galveston since the flood (the part that survived). I got the impression it was trinket type stuff, nothing special. But it still made me curious.

[buffy888]

Hmmm... I'm a bit confused by the "older part of Galveston" and "the part that survived" as when visitors refer to the "older part" they are typically referring to the Strand... and that area was hit VERY hard by Ike. Some of the shops in the Strand are open now (some were spurred along by trying to be ready by Dickens on the Strand in early December), but the area is certainly not up to full strength yet. There are different types of gift shops in the Strand area - some are typical souvenir shops (t-shirts, magnets, etc.), some focus on home/garden decor, etc. I wouldn't say there is anything amazingly mind-blowing, but there is certainly more to be found that just tourist/souvenir junk if one knows where to look.

Elsewhere on the island there are other gift/souvenir shops (Wings and Dolphin World are 2 examples of the typical touristy-type shops - lots of cheap t-shirts, hermit crabs, that type of thing - I am not recommending them, just giving names); locally-owned surf shops like Underground Surf Depot, Ohana, and Strictly Hardcore; beach-y but not kitschy home decor like Coastal Creations (towards the West End), etc.

The galveston.com website does a pretty good job keeping updated. If you go on there and go to the What to Do section, there should be a Shopping section. You can see the different types of shops and get a better idea of the kind of stuff they offer; you can also find out if the shop is open post-Ike or still reported as being closed.

[westres1]

I love Trina's on the Strand but I do not know if it has re-opened

[OzzyRules]

Thanks for the info. Sorry, I'm not aware of the current conditions there. I've never been there so I can't really picture it.

[houstoner]

Maybe they were just recommending you go to the Strand for its historic value and pedestrian-friendliness, or to support its recovery?

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by OzzyRules

Thanks for the info. Sorry, I'm not aware of the current conditions there. I've never been there so I can't really picture it.

Well ozzy that makes no sense. So your telling us you dont know how your getting here or where? We need some info to help you.

[OzzyRules]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

Well ozzy that makes no sense. So your telling us you dont know how your getting here or where? We need some info to help you.

No, I just wanted to hear about the gift shops. That's all. I would like to visit there sometime, but I have not set plan to go yet.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by OzzyRules

I was told that if I ever visit Galveston I need to check out the gift shops there. Can anyone tell me what type of stuff is sold there, or if there are any interesting shops in particular? Thanks.

There used to be a great army surplus store there called Colonel Bubbie's but it might not be there any more. I don't know.


20yrsinBranson

ETA: Their website says they are open.