Take a step back in time this season at Galveston‘s Star Drug Store. Housed in a building that dates back to 1882, the old fashioned soda fountain in the oldest drug store in Texas. Here, visitors can enjoy the cozy nostalgia of before times complete with classic milkshakes, floats, patty melts and more.
Designed by the famed Galveston architect Nicholas Clayton, the building originally housed a different pharmacy until Charles J. Michaelis purchased the business and established the Star Drug Store in 1909.
It quickly became a cornerstone of the Strand District, particularly after the addition of its iconic horseshoe-shaped soda fountain in 1917. Despite facing potential ruin from a devastating fire in 1998 and the surge of Hurricane Ike in 2008, the landmark was meticulously restored by the Natali family, preserving its original cabinetry and neon Coca-Cola signage for future generations.
Today, Star Drug Store remains as a fully operational drug store. Complete with its original horseshoe-shaped, tile soda fountain, neon porcelain signs, and original medicine cabinets, Star Drug Store offers a nostalgic diner experience in the heart of Galveston Island.
In keeping with the aesthetic, the soda fountain serves old-school diner staples with American classics and traditional desserts. On the savory side, diners can enjoy a range of patty melts, hearty breakfast omelettes, grilled cheese sandwiches, and tomato soup – all pairing well with its fountain sodas.
On the dessert side, the soda fountain offers a swell variety of old school sweets. Egg Creams, malts, and banana splits are all on the menu alongside ice cream sundaes, floats, and something called the Shipwreck Float, made with Dr. Pepper, Coke, Root Beer, cherry syrup, and vanilla ice cream.
The setting is cozy and retro, with original glass-fronted cabinetry that once held medicine now displaying unique gifts and collectibles. The mezzanine balcony, where pharmacy patients once rested, now provides a bird’s-eye view of the diner.
Star Drug Store is located at 510 23rd Street, Galveston, Texas. The store is opened from 8: 30 am to 2:30 pm daily.
