From 'Big Texas Fix' To Hot Dogs: Ashley And Michael Cordray's Shocking \$5M Empire Expansion In 2025

The dynamic duo of historic home restoration, Ashley and Michael Cordray, have dramatically expanded their empire far beyond the paint brush and hammer, transforming from simple TV personalities into major Galveston, Texas, entrepreneurs. As of December 17, 2025, the stars of the Magnolia Network hit show Restoring Galveston are not just tackling a new slate of historic properties—they are now the proud owners of a burgeoning hospitality portfolio, including a gourmet hot dog restaurant and a nostalgic ice cream shop, all while raising their three daughters.

Their mission, centered on preserving the island’s rich architectural history, has evolved into a full-scale community redevelopment project. The Cordrays continue to leverage their company, Save 1900, to breathe new life into dilapidated structures, but their latest ventures reveal a calculated, multi-million dollar strategy to revitalize the entire local culture, injecting new commerce into the very neighborhoods they restore.

Ashley and Michael Cordray: Complete Biographical Profile

Ashley and Michael Cordray are a husband-and-wife team best known for their dedicated work in historic preservation on Galveston Island. Their company, Save 1900, is named in homage to the devastating 1900 Hurricane, which nearly wiped out the city, emphasizing their commitment to saving the remaining historic properties.

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• Michael Cordray: A multi-generation Galveston native, Michael brings deep local knowledge and construction expertise to the team. He is an alumnus of Texas A&M University at Galveston, graduating in 2006. Prior to dedicating himself full-time to Save 1900, he worked at Kirby, a major company, until his wife persuaded him to pursue their passion project as a full-time career in 2015.
• Ashley Cordray: Ashley is the visionary and business mind behind the operation. She is also a Texas A&M University at Galveston graduate (Class of 2009) and a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur. She is often credited with scouting the properties and managing the design and business aspects of their complex restoration projects.
• Family Life: The couple shares three adorable daughters: Elle, Emma, and Emory. Their family life is frequently featured on their show, providing a relatable backdrop to the intense work of historic home renovation.
• Net Worth: Their estimated net worth, as of 2025, is reported to be between \$3 million and \$5 million, a testament to their successful television career and expanding business ventures.
• Television Career: They first gained national attention on the DIY Network with their show Big Texas Fix, which was later rebranded as Restoring Galveston and moved to the Magnolia Network, where it continues to air new seasons.

The Shocking Shift: From Restoration to Hospitality Moguls

While the Cordrays built their reputation on restoring grand Victorian-era homes in the East End Historic District, their most recent business moves signal a major pivot into the hospitality and food service industry. This strategic expansion is directly tied to their goal of community redevelopment, proving that historic preservation is not just about homes, but about revitalizing local commerce.

Local Dogs: The Gourmet Hot Dog Haven

The Cordrays made their official foray into the restaurant business with the launch of "Local Dogs." This casual, gourmet hot dog and sno-cone stand is housed in a beautifully restored 1922 filling station, showcasing their signature blend of preservation and modern function.

• Concept: Local Dogs specializes in creative gourmet hot dogs, hand-cut fries, and colorful snow cones.
• Restoration Focus: The choice of location—a historic 1922 filling station—is a perfect example of adaptive reuse, turning a dilapidated commercial structure into a vibrant local eatery.
• Significance: This venture marks their first official restaurant, demonstrating their commitment to establishing new, locally-rooted businesses in the neighborhoods they are working to save.

Cordray Drug Store: A Sweet, Nostalgic Tribute

Perhaps the most personal of their new ventures is the Cordray Drug Store. This charming ice cream shop is more than just a place for rolled ice cream; it is a heartfelt homage to Michael’s family history in Galveston.

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• Historical Context: The original Cordray Drug Store was owned by Michael’s great-grandfather and was a beloved staple at 1501 Postoffice Street.
• Modern Twist: The new iteration serves up a delightful blend of nostalgia and indulgence, primarily focusing on ice cream, bringing a beloved Galveston name back to life with a sweet, family-friendly concept.
• Ashley’s Vision: Ashley had long dreamt of owning one of the island’s historic corner store buildings, and the opportunity to tie it into her husband’s family legacy was a perfect fit for their Save 1900 ethos.

The Future of Save 1900 and 'Restoring Galveston'

Despite their new roles as hospitality entrepreneurs, the Cordrays' core mission remains the same: saving the architectural treasures of Galveston. Their work is a constant battle against time, weather, and the steep costs of historic rehabilitation.

Current Restoration Projects and TV Status

The couple is currently working on three major restoration projects, which are expected to be featured in upcoming seasons of Restoring Galveston on the Magnolia Network. These projects often focus on properties on the brink of destruction, requiring specialized knowledge in historic preservation techniques.

• The Show’s Reach: Through their show, they have successfully raised national awareness about the unique challenges and rewards of restoring properties that predate the 1900 Hurricane. The program has even been used to raise awareness about lead safety in historic properties, as part of an agreement with the EPA, highlighting the serious, often unseen, aspects of their work.
• Architectural Focus: Their work showcases and preserves various historic architectural styles prevalent in Galveston, including the elegant Greek Revival, Victorian-era homes, and Neo-Renaissance designs found in areas like the East End Historic District.
• Boutique Hotel Project: One of their long-term, high-profile projects includes the restoration of a decrepit boarding house into a 12-room boutique hotel, a massive undertaking that blends their restoration skills with their growing hospitality vision.

The Cordrays’ Lasting Impact on Historic Preservation

Ashley and Michael Cordray are more than just TV renovators; they are significant figures in the local historic preservation movement, often working alongside the Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF), one of the largest local preservation organizations in the nation.

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Their multi-faceted business model—combining real estate, media, and local commerce—ensures that the historic properties they save are not just beautiful museums, but functional, economically viable parts of a thriving community. By tackling everything from residential homes to commercial buildings, they are ensuring that Galveston’s rich history and unique architecture—from the Strand to the residential neighborhoods—will endure for generations to come.

The strategic expansion into businesses like Local Dogs and Cordray Drug Store provides a sustainable economic engine to support their costly preservation efforts, cementing their legacy as the island’s foremost "Big Texas Fix" experts.