The Galveston Landmark Commission on Jan. 6 approved a certificate of appropriateness for exterior alterations to a commercial property at the 14th Street and Winnie intersection to accommodate a retail business that will offer wine service and seating. Staff framed this case and its companion residential case as interrelated because the buildings back onto one another and share site work.

Staff said five public notices were sent and one was returned in favor. The applicant sought multiple changes: a new door opening in the south facade of a nonhistoric garage addition, removal of nonhistoric breeze block and replacement with treated wood and composite (Trex) handrails, a new staircase and landing to access an upstairs deck, a short brick wall and gate on the side by the garage, expansion of an existing garage door opening with a decorative trellis and transom, covering the CMU garage facade with stucco, and replacing existing hinge shutters with Bahama‑style shutters. Staff found the main building generally conforms to design standards because the garage addition is nonhistoric and the site has a strong commercial context; staff recommended approval with specific conditions and standard conditions 2–6 in the staff report.

The applicant described the project as "essentially a retail commercial establishment, which will also provide wine service to the area," and said the design intends to reveal blocked architectural elements and tie in existing transom lines along the block face. The applicant explained the removal of breeze block is intended to open the upper area for seating and to reveal existing arches currently obscured by the breeze block. The applicant also noted that Bahama‑style shutters, while not specifically listed in the design standards, were historically used in the 1920s–1930s and could be considered appropriate for this commercial structure.

Haley Hardcastle, representing the business, said the operator is an established retailer operating another Emporia location and intends to bring the concept to the 14th Street corridor. "Our vision for this business is kind of an expansion and extension of that operating model," Hardcastle said, emphasizing an intent to honor the building’s historic character while adapting it for modern retail use.

Commissioners raised a question about parking impacts; staff confirmed the proposal does not change the site's existing four parking spots on 14th Street or two on Winnie. With no public opposition at the hearing, the commission approved case 24LC038 with the staff recommendations and conditions; the transcript records the motion as approved but does not list a numeric roll‑call tally.