Galveston Ice Cream Adventure

Star Drug Store
​
​This wonderful building has been here on 23rd Street since 1886.   

---

It claims to be the oldest drug store in Texas!

​The Outside
​

The building was originally wood, but was converted to brick in 1906.  ​

The store has been doing business since it opened, except for a few years that followed a severe fire in 1998.  Luckily the Tilts family bought the place and restored it beautifully.

Patio
​
​A few days ago, I stopped for root beer floats with my dad and sister.

---

We also had a furry friend with us.

Dogs Welcome

We hoped dogs were welcome since my dad was traveling with his dog, Annie.  When Celia, (Who works at the store) came outside, I hoped she wasn't coming to tell us they have a no animal policy.  You never know.  But she only had high praise for Annie. 

In fact Celia was one of those friendly, positive people you could chat with all day. She was intrigued with the trailer image on Jennifer's tee shirt and they got off on a conversation about  trailer camping. When we raved about the ice cream, Celia told us about the man in nearby Santa Fe, TX who makes the ice cream... with so much butter fat you can barely freeze it.

 

Inside 

​The 2-story interior offers lots of indoor dining and quirky memorabilia.  Jennifer was intrigued by a plaque, 6.5 feet above the floor. The marker showed where the flood waters reached, when Hurricane Ike hit Galveston in 2008!

I can't wait to come back and eat at the counter one of these days. This great horseshoe shaped, tile counter was added in 1917.  I have fond memories of counter dining at Cunningham Drugs in Iowa, when I was a kid.  I hope to come back and have Herman cook me a burger or some eggs, while I swivel on my stool a little.

​Fun Folks
​
Herman was cleaning up the grill when I interrupted him with a photo request.  

He laughed that I was the third person who wanted his photo that day.  Celia insisted the photo would be better with light up hats. (Afraid the lights don't show in the photo) You could tell these 2 have some fun on the job!

High Marks
​
​I give the Drug Store high marks for fun stuff to look at (Just look in the window) and for friendly staff. I give bonus marks for a history... that goes back way over 100 years!  

And I'll even give them credit for the heavenly weather. Well, maybe they didn't provide the weather,  but they did offer us seating outside where we could enjoy a gorgeous May day!  I can't wait to return!

​Update in 2024!

It's been 11 years since my Galveston ice cream adventure!

I finally got to return to Star Drug Store on another beautiful day in May!

This time I was with my hubby, Don. He wore his festive palm shirt for the occasion.

This time, we sat inside and had lunch. Don ordered a 3-salad plate. Chicken salad, tuna salad and crab salad. He was happy!

I ordered a half Rueben sandwich and a bowl of hearty tomato soup. Both good!

I also ordered an Egg Cream... partially in honor of my brother who likes those. But mostly because it was a lot cheaper than a malt or milkshake. A little watery for my taste, but it was fun to have the soda fountain experience.

I didn't see Celia or Herman this time. There were no dogs. My sister is far away and my dad passed away last year. But it was so fun to share a little drug store adventure, with Don!
​