Hearts of Galveston: Episode 1
Harry and Lisa Blair: Inside The Sunflower Bakery & Cafe
Every day on 14th Street, the doors of The Sunflower Bakery & Café swing open to a familiar rhythm—regulars finding their favorite table, visitors discovering the brunch spot locals swear by, and the Blairs quietly moving through it all with warmth and intention.
In this first episode of Hearts of Galveston, Harry and Lisa Blair open up about family, rebuilding after storms, and why creating a place that feels like home matters more than chasing trends.
Summary
In this first episode of Hearts of Galveston, we sit down with Harry Blair and Lisa Blair of Sunflower Bakery & Cafe, a family-owned brunch institution on Galveston Island. The conversation traces their early days of getting the café off the ground, the challenges they faced (including rebuilding after storms), and their philosophy that making a place feel like home matters more than chasing fads. They reflect on family (their son Zach being part of the business), community, consistency, and the values that have kept Sunflower a local favorite. The tone is warm, reflective, and grounded in the island’s character.
~ David Landriault
Podcast: Hearts of Galveston, Episode 1
Prefer to Listen
Here’s the audio version of my conversation with the owners of The Sunflower Bakery & Cafe: Harry and Lisa Blair. Whether you’re on a walk, driving, or just taking a moment, I hope you enjoy it.
Hearts of Galveston: Episode 1
Inside The Sunflower Bakery and Cafe with Harry & Lisa Blair
Part One
When you walk into Sunflower Bakery & Café on a Saturday morning, the pressure plate under your foot registers more than steps. It counts stories. It takes in the aroma of a new loaf, the hum of coffee machines, the easy rhythm of a family-owned business that has found its groove. This is the stage where Harry and Lisa Blair set their scene two decades ago — and keep it running today.
Origins and aspirations
Harry had a vision: a café where people would linger, where pastry and coffee weren’t afterthoughts but anchors. Lisa brought the warmth, the personality, the steady hum behind the scenes. Together they launched Sunflower on 14th Street, in Galveston, with modest beginnings and big hopes.
They didn’t start with a blueprint for a “hipster brunch spot” or a national chain vibe. Their ambition was simpler: “Make good food, treat people right, and build a place where our family felt proud,” as Lisa put it.
Storms, setbacks, and rebuilding
Galveston is beautiful — but it’s not easy. Hurricanes, flooding, salt air that eats steel — these are part and parcel of doing business here. The Blairs faced seasons where the café wasn’t just about new flavors, but about surviving and rebuilding. They talk openly about getting through those tough years, how the community rallied, how staff stepped up when things weren’t glamorous. It’s not a sob story. It’s real life.
From those trials came stronger relationships, deeper community ties, and a culture of “we do it together.”
Family and culture
Their son, Zach, came into the business not just as “the owner’s kid” but as part of the team. The Blairs emphasize that Sunflower isn’t just a brand — it’s their home turned outward. The staff, the regulars, the newcomers — all become part of a larger family ecosystem. They want the café to feel like more than a transaction: “You come in, you’re seen, you’re valued.”
Values over trends
In the podcast, Harry reflects on how “doing things the right way” has always meant paying attention — to ingredients, to guests, to staff. Lisa adds that when they started, the islands’ restaurant scene hadn’t exploded yet; there weren’t brunch-lines every weekend. So they leaned into rhythm over hype.
They didn’t chase the next gimmick. They kept refining — the pastry case, the consistency of coffee, the friendly greeting, the place where kids and grandparents felt comfortable alike. And they say that consistency builds trust. Trust builds loyalty. Loyalty builds community.
Community connection
Sunflower is inside Galveston’s daily life. It’s not just the weekend crowd or the tourists. It’s the locals who show up midweek for breakfast, families who pick it for Sunday brunch, friends who meet for coffee. The Blairs talk about how much that matters to them: when someone says “See you next week” as they walk out the door. That comment isn’t a tagline — it’s proof the café became part of someone’s routine.
They also reflect on how being rooted in the island means being involved: not just in business, but in the life of Galveston. They mention Lisa’s time on the city’s planning commission and how being part of the civic conversation matters in a place this interdependent.
Looking ahead
Even though they’ve been doing this for decades, the Blairs say they’re still learning. They don’t view themselves as “finished.” There’s always some new challenge — whether staffing, supply chain, climate, or guest expectations. But they see those challenges as part of the adventure.
They emphasize that for Sunflower to remain a place people talk about, it’s less about being flashy and more about being genuine. They want newcomers to feel what longtime locals already know: this place cares.
David Landriault
Founder of The 1839
David Landriault serves as the Founder of The 1839 and Co-Founder of Falcontail Marketing & Design. Under his leadership, Falcontail has grown into a boutique firm known for collaborating with a diverse range of distinguished clients. The firm’s portfolio includes notable names such as Stanford University, the Galveston Economic Development Partnership, Sunflower Bakery & Cafe, and other esteemed organizations.
Lisa Blair
Proud 39er
As the longtime co-owner of Sunflower Bakery & Café, Lisa Blair has been a cheerful, steady force in Galveston’s culinary and civic life. Her commitment to the island extended beyond the kitchen—she also served on the city’s Planning Commission, helping shape Galveston’s future with care and insight. Though she and her husband, Harry, now enjoy retirement in Colorado, their hearts remain firmly anchored to the island. In the Lifestyle section of The 1839, Lisa shares a warm, seasoned perspective on island living—offering reflections on food, community, and the quiet joys that make Galveston unforgettable.
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