Consider skipping major retailers and supporting Galveston's small businesses.
Galveston’s myriad of vintage boutique stores and unique local shops makes shopping just as exciting as the more than 32-miles of beaches over the summer. Galveston is a fantastic place to find gifts for everyone or just a little something for yourself. To save you even more time, here are a few signature island specialty shops that are a great place to start.
pictured: MOD Coffehouse
Historic Downtown Galveston's main shopping street, The Strand, draws visitors to its diverse collection of boutiques, gift shops, restaurants and attractions housed in majestic iron-front buildings that once made up the "Wall Street of the South". From the old-fashioned candy shop LaKing's Confectionary to the Galveston Railroad Museum and concerts at Saengerfest Park. The Strand and its surrounding streets serve as a hub for activities and entertainment.
Here are some shopping opportunities in Downtown Galveston's Historic Strand District:
Tina’s on the Strand is a family-run business selling clothing, jewelry, accessories and home decor. Fine lines such as Johnny Was, Bryn Walker, Gigi Moda, and Lior provide a ton of sophisticated options for any woman in your life. And don’t forget to smell their signature Tina Blend Candle, a perfect blend of cinnamon, almond, amaretto and vanilla.
Gifts perfect for: Mom.
Finding gifts is easy with The Admiralty’s array of beach-themed gifts and sea-inspired jewelry, art and home decor in ocean hues. You’ll find unique paintings, sculptures, glassware, decorative throw pillows, sculptures and its famous collection of scented candles.
Gifts perfect for: Wife, Husband, lovers of Nautical trinkets.
This whimsical gift boutique has something for everyone in your family. The store specializes in gifts, home decor, accessories, and even a children’s department with name-brand toys and clothing. Here, you’ll also find Nest fragrances, Bogg bags, cookbooks, graduation gifts and more.
Gifts perfect for: Kids, extended family.
Strand Brass features upscale gifts such as Tyler Candles, Tervis Tumblers, Waterford Crystal, Wimberley Jewelry, Nautical home décor, and is Galveston’s exclusive Bella Taylor handbag retailer. Christmas on The Strand, within Strand Brass, offers a vast Christmas selection including Christopher Radko, nativity sets, nautical ornaments, tropical Santas, and an amazing array of nutcrackers.
Perfect for: Someone who loves tradition
Surf Styles is the perfect spot for the latest in surf apparel, footwear, headgear and accessories for the adventurous spirit in your family. You’ll find brands such as Maui Jim, Reef, Oakley, Billabong, Quicksilver, O’Neill, Roxy, Hurley and more!
Perfect for: The adventure spirit in your family
Hendley Market is an eclectic cabinet of curiosities bursting with unusual finds ranging from children’s books and toys to antiques, coins and paper currency from around the world, and hand-crafted fair-trade goods from Galveston Island and all over the world.
Perfect for: The teenager in your family, unique items.
The Jewel Garden carries a wide variety of jewelry, gifts, and decor. The jewelry on offer is made from a wide range of materials consisting of semi-precious gemstones and sterling silver. Some of the store’s jewelry lines include Ayala Bar, Holly Yashi, Firefly, and many more.
Perfect for: A significant other
La King’s features a working 1920’s soda fountain serving malts, shakes, ice cream sodas, sundaes, splits, floats and your favorite fountain treats. Put together the perfect box of sweets at The Candy Counter, which features an endless choice of chocolates and sweet confections. It proudly makes and serves “Purity” ice cream which is Texas’ first ice cream manufacturer, founded in 1889 on Galveston Island.
Perfect for: The sweet tooth in your family
Whether you’re searching for a challenging puzzle for a 9-month-old, or a 14-year-old, Play on the Strand has something for everyone. Inside, you’ll find an arcade and a big selection of traditional and contemporary toys, books, puzzles and games for children of all ages.
Perfect for: Kids
Marked by its beautiful Victorian architecture and colorfully painted storefronts, the Postoffice Street area is full of charm, offering an enchanting blend of art galleries, boutiques, antique shops, chic eateries and lively entertainment, including The Grand 1894 Opera House. Its artsy atmosphere has made this area a fresh hangout for locals and the center of the island's popular ArtWalk.
Ha.ba’s offers the best L.A. fashions for the young stay-at-home mom, college student, or fashionable boss woman, all at affordable prices, and hand-picked by its owner, Erica, in downtown Los Angeles.
Perfect for: The fashionista in your life.
At Tangerine, you’ll find upscale, sophisticated, and bohemian fashion curated by local surfer girl, Kim Cherryhomes. Find brands such as Jen’s Pirate Booty, Chan Luu, Heidi Merrick, Mother Denim, and more.
Perfect for: The fashionista in your family
This “industrial-chic” boutique offers a variety of fashion-forward casual dresses, skirts, tops, jeans, outerwear, and more, at affordable prices. In addition to clothing, you can also find a large variety of accessories and a great selection of handbags.
Perfect for: Your daughter
A Post Office Street mainstay since the 1970s, Fullen Jewelry showcases fine jewelry in a classic, contemporary and nautical designs for men and women. Don’t miss their classic hook bracelets in sterling silver with 14-karat gold accents.
Perfect for: An island lover, significant other
Rene Wiley Gallery represents a collection of fine art from local artists in historic downtown Galveston. Artwork includes the exclusive representation of Rene Wiley’s oil painting, a variety of original paintings, giclee prints, wood sculptures, textiles, and glass work.
Perfect for: The artist in your family
This Postoffice Street gem features an eclectic mix of local artisan gifts items, candles, home decor and imported furniture. They also carry a variety of chic decorative pieces, from clocks to vases and wall hangings.
Perfect for: The homebody in your family
This cute shop in Post Office Street is a blend of traditional and fun. It carries high-end fashion finds to casual wear for men and women, jewelry and great home decor items.
Perfect for: Your significant other
Cruz Cortez is Galveston’s premier clothing store for men, selling Hawaiian shirts, guayaberas, hats, jackets and more. There are also a few items for women too, such as Hawaiian dresses and tops, matching the prints for men.
Perfect for: Dad, Husband or Son.
This fine art gallery in downtown Galveston showcases a diverse selection of original works in fine art mediums such as painting, drawing, photography, mixed media and sculpture. You’ll also find a collection of jewelry from over 20 artisans.
Perfect for: The artists in your family
This gallery in Post Office Street is the home of artist Robert Peterson, who masterfully captures the world as he sees it with pencil and brush, specially tropical beaches from around the world, as well as other aspects for nature’s beauty.
Perfect for: The nature lover in your family
Luna Home & Gifts offers a unique array of one-of-a-kind gifts, home decor, art, books, jewelry and clothing. This is the perfect stop for your friend who loves home decor and knick-knacks.
Perfect for: Your stay-at-home mom, friends
Kimmy’s Boutique is any young woman’s dream come true. Here you can find a selection of fun sweaters, skirts, dresses, tops and accessories at an affordable price.
Perfect for: Your best friend
This art studio offers paint-your-own-pottery service, canvas paintings, glass fusion and Art’ini, which is the perfect gift for that family member who loves an artistic personal touch.
Perfect for: A parent, kids.
Murdoch’s is your modern-day mercantile with one of the best selections of clothing, footwear, tools, pet supplies, fencing, power equipment and more on the island. Here, you can find gifts such as outdoor gear, western apparel, and even clothes for the littles.
Perfect for: The collector in your family.
This full-service bike shop has what you need to outfit your entire family with new bicycles to ride along the seawall year-round. They also sell parts and accessories, and service bikes.
Perfect for: The whole family
Get whisked away into a chef’s paradise in this boutique kitchen offering cooking classes, and unique kitchen tools and products from specialty brands such as Le Creuset, Swiss Diamond, Mason Crush, Ruffoni, and Shun.
Perfect for: The chef in your family
Maceo’s is any food lover's dream. With a collection of wonderful fresh spices and herbs, and specialty imported food from around the world, a gift from Maceo’s will inspire anyone’s stint in the kitchen.
Perfect food: The foodie in your family
Where the Texas Coast begins.
Author
Mellanie Perez
Mellanie Perez is a lifestyle, beauty and wellness writer and editor based in Houston, Texas, and—occasionally—Puerto Rico. Her travel articles have been published in National Geographic Traveler, Texas Highways, Korean Air's MorningCalm. She has been on staff at Modern Luxury Houston, and Sunday Riley, where she mastered the art of clean copy and tight deadlines. When not preoccupied with getting through the 10 books on her nightstand or getting in her daily workout, she can be found writing essays and poetry and learning trending dances on Tik Tok.
