The Big Store Crystal Beach, Texas: Celebrating 40 Years of a Local Legend!
Crystal Beach One10 Realty Group | Business Spotlight
If you’ve ever visited Crystal Beach, Texas, you know there’s one place where you can buy steaks, swimsuits, fishing tackle, and a few things you didn’t even know you needed.
The Big Store!
And if you’ve lived here long enough, you know the saying: “If The Big Store doesn’t have it, chances are you really don’t need it!”
This year, we’re celebrating a pretty big milestone. The Big Store in Crystal Beach, Texas, is celebrating 40 years of serving the Bolivar Peninsula!
At Crystal Beach One10 Realty Group, we love spotlighting the local businesses that make our little stretch of the Texas Gulf Coast such a special place to call home.
And The Big Store certainly deserves its moment in the spotlight!
How The Big Store Became a Crystal Beach Landmark
Let’s rewind to May 17, 1986.
Keith Zahar opened Gulf Coast Market, a 12,000-square-foot grocery store with a small gift shop, right here on the Bolivar Peninsula.
Over the years, the business grew, adding a deli, hardware department, and more shopping options. Today, The Big Store encompasses approximately 65,000 square feet.
What started as a grocery store has become one of the most recognizable landmarks along Highway 87.
And 40 years later, it’s still going strong!
Groceries, Hardware, Beach Gear… Oh My!
One of the things we love about The Big Store is that you never quite know what you’ll walk out with.
You might go in for a gallon of milk and leave with a new beach chair, fishing tackle, and something for the house.
Where else can you find all of this under one roof?
- Fresh groceries, produce, and meats
- An Ace Hardware department for home projects and repairs
- Beachwear, souvenirs, and fishing supplies
- A deli serving hot meals, pizza, and fried chicken
- Gifts, coastal decor, and household essentials
- Convenient banking services
Want to see everything they offer? Visit The Big Store’s official website.
And here’s a little local tip: check out their weekly grocery specials before heading out to shop.
Surviving Hurricane Ike and Coming Back Stronger
Now, here’s where The Big Store’s story really shows what Crystal Beach is made of.
When Hurricane Ike devastated the Bolivar Peninsula in September 2008, The Big Store suffered extensive damage.
But Keith Zahar wasn’t finished.
The business began reopening in January 2009, providing much-needed hardware and building supplies as residents worked to rebuild their homes and community.
On May 17, 2009, exactly 23 years after its original opening, the full store reopened.
That’s the kind of determination that makes our coastal community special.
The Big Store has also invested in generator capacity to help keep essential services available during power outages.
For those of us who call the peninsula home, that’s more than convenience. That’s neighbors taking care of neighbors.
Why The Big Store Matters to Crystal Beach Homeowners
As REALTORS® serving Crystal Beach and the Bolivar Peninsula, we’re often asked what it’s really like to own a beach house here.
Of course, people want to know about beach access, rental opportunities, insurance, and property values.
But there’s another important part of coastal living: everyday convenience.
When you’re furnishing a new beach house, preparing for vacation guests, or tackling a weekend repair, having a place like The Big Store nearby makes life easier.
And when your weekend guests forget the sunscreen, towels, or half the groceries? Well, you know where to send them!
If you’re considering owning a home here, take a look at our featured Crystal Beach and Bolivar Peninsula properties.
You can also explore our September 2026 Crystal Beach Real Estate Market Update to learn more about the local housing market.
More Than a Store — It’s Part of Our Community
The Big Store isn’t just somewhere to shop.
It’s where full-time residents run into neighbors, vacationers stock up for a week at the beach, and homeowners pick up supplies for their latest projects.
It’s been part of family vacations, hurricane recovery, holiday gatherings, and everyday coastal living for generations.
And that’s exactly why we started highlighting local businesses.
At Crystal Beach One10 Realty Group, we believe real estate is about more than buying and selling houses.
It’s about the people, businesses, and community that make a place feel like home.
Visit The Big Store in Crystal Beach, Texas
Gulf Coast Market — The Big Store
2385 Highway 87
Crystal Beach, TX 77650
Phone: 409-684-2400
Website: TheBigStoreCrystalBeach.com
Learn more about the store’s history on its Our Story page.
Here’s to 40 Years, The Big Store!
Congratulations to Keith Zahar and the entire Big Store team on 40 years of serving Crystal Beach and the Bolivar Peninsula.
From a 12,000-square-foot grocery store in 1986 to the local landmark we know today, that’s a whole lot of Crystal Beach history!
And we have just one question for everyone reading:
What’s the most random thing you’ve ever gone into The Big Store to buy?
We’d love to hear your stories!
Discover More of Crystal Beach with One10 Realty Group
We’re Crystal Beach One10 Realty Group, brokered by eXp Realty.
We love helping people discover everything that makes the Bolivar Peninsula special, from beachfront homes and investment properties to the local businesses that give our community its personality.
Thinking about buying or selling in Crystal Beach?
Explore Our Featured Properties or Visit One10 Realty Group.
Crystal Beach One10 Realty Group | eXp Realty
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