Driving down the beach yesterday, we were captivated by this outstanding sight. Mark Porretto, an enterprising young man from Galveston, set up these 16 umbrellas and 32 beach chairs near Emerald II.
Beginning in May, Mark and his “beach girls and beach guys” will set up in 3 different locations along the beach in Crystal Beach. An umbrella and 2 chairs will rent for $30 per day. Check this out – stop by and say Hi to Mark!
Mark’s family owns and operates Porretto Beach in Galveston. The Porretto family has been in business over 50 years providing a wide range of beach services.
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Awesome! We’ve been waiting for this! 😊👍🏻
Sagshws – if you are using the beach as a State Hwy, I highly encourage you to use Hwy. 87 – it is much safer for all of those around you, not to mention the children playing on the beach. The fact that people driving up and down the beach have to slow down or “slam on their breaks” when passing up the beautifully colored chairs and umbrellas is a welcome thing and I am pretty sure the police appreciate it too. Oh, and so do the parents of those children playing on the beach!! AND, when it is bumper to bumper on the beach – ALL the more reason to SLOW IT DOWN!!!
I find it interesting that you, Carolyn S. ask what will it do for “you” and Crystal Beach! How about enticing people to come over from Galveston? If more people venture over on the ferry, spend more time on the beach, maybe they will shop more at the local businesses, to include “your” gas stations, “your” Big Store, “your” post office, “your” little shops and boutiques and possibly even “your” beach house rental companies. You contradict yourself in asking what it will do for “you”, but then mention it is a public beach and then complain about the increase in traffic within the neighborhoods. What is it that you want then? If you want a private beach with only room for yourself – go buy a private island. Crystal Beach needs to be revived again and that is exactly what this entrepreneur is trying to do. Your comment about the trash too, seriously – have you seen how everyone else leaves the beach after they drive and park with their own canopies, tents, golf carts, etc.? Maybe you haven’t lived down here long enough then to see all the trash left behind by those inconsiderate beach goers. At least with the “whole beach” (as you put it) taken up by Mark, it is sure to be clean while he is setting up and once he is breaking everything down for the day!!! He takes pride in how it looks – that is apparent!! Oh, and the comment about taking up the “whole beach” – I mean really? Last I checked and according to “your” statement – it is a public beach and it’s pretty darn big – room enough for PLENTY of people!!! Truly, if you wanted what is best for your community, especially as a resident of Emerald II, you would promote more local businesses to help “your” community thrive.
I was upset at the amount of beach space taken, there was no room to drive he had the road blocked to one lane, there was a small child playing in front of the chairs by the road and a few large trucks slamed on there brakes to avoid her. I’m all for small business oportunity, but keep it small, be considerate of all the traffic, this is considered a STATE HWY not a resort.
He hasn’t been down here when the beach is bumper to bumper, This is not a private beach!!!!!!! Be considerate!!!!
As a business owner I come from a different point of view.
I agree with the above note. When I first saw the bright umbrellas and chairs I was very impressed. This is what so many of my guests have asked about!
The most important aspect of this new addition to our beach is the cleanliness! I can not count the number of bags I feel with trash from the beach on a regular basis. I am very embarrassed for my guests to see our beaches so trashed. Mark is raking the sand and cleaning the area in addition to adding this colorful site. When we look for positive value to our beach, having the beach clean is number one. Thanks Mark!
Mark, keep up the good work. You’ve created a beautiful spot on the beach, clean, orderly. The passers-by love it too, they slow down, they’re cautious. I love the way you clean the beach before placing the chairs. It seems your “beach chair sitters” take pride in their surroundings as well. Not only do we love the look and feel of the setting, we also love visiting with you on the weekends!
I agree with CarolynS. In Galveston, they do not set them all up. The ones I have seen only have 2 chairs set up and 1 umbrella. The rest is kept in their trailer or truck then rented out. They are hogging a lot of room on the beach.
I also would like to know, what benefit Crystal Beach is getting from this?
Thank you
That is great for the people who don’t live here or rent here. Will they be provided with a garbage bag to take their garbage with them when they leave? Additionally, those of us who live in Emerald II would like to go down to the beach and set up our canopy and chairs. It would be nice not to have the whole beach taken up by someone coming from Galveston to make money in our community. The additional traffic through our neighborhoods is not especially welcomed either. What does our community gain from this service? The beach is a public beach and not one man’s land to dominate over the best spots to set up on the beach. Unlike Galveston, we drive on our beaches. We pack golf carts and jeeps with our chairs and canopies. Suggestion: Don’t set up the chairs. Rent them and let people do what they do now. Let them find a place to set up. This allows residents and visitors an equal opportunity to carve out their little piece of the beach. Thank you!