Big Star Markets Ceramic Ornament
Round / One size
$15.99
Product Details & Size Guide
GhostCorp Apparel - resurrecting iconic corporate ghosts.
Add a chapter of supermarket history to your seasonal display. Big Star’s story started in 1937 within the David Pender Grocery Company, during the transition from smaller full-service groceries to self-service supermarkets. Revived around 1968 as a discount-chain name, it went on to experience changing ownership and regional store sales across the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia. This ceramic ornament honors a memorable American retail brand, with a cultural connection to the Memphis musicians inspired by its name.
Big Star began in 1937 as part of the David Pender Grocery Company in the United States. Its self-service supermarkets started replacing the smaller, full-service Pender stores. By the late 1940s, the company had rebranded as Colonial Stores. Around 1968, Colonial revived the Big Star name for a discount chain, and eventually all stores were closed or converted to the Big Star name. Grand Union purchased the chain in 1978. In 1988, stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia were sold to Harris Teeter. The Georgia stores were sold in 1992, with most Atlanta locations going to A&P. After heavy remodeling, those stores were eventually sold to Publix in 1999. The source distinguishes this chain from later stores operating under the Big Star name in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee, which belonged to a franchise operation and were not directly connected to the original chain. The name also inspired Alex Chilton and Chris Bell when they named their Memphis rock band.
Add a chapter of supermarket history to your seasonal display. Big Star’s story started in 1937 within the David Pender Grocery Company, during the transition from smaller full-service groceries to self-service supermarkets. Revived around 1968 as a discount-chain name, it went on to experience changing ownership and regional store sales across the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia. This ceramic ornament honors a memorable American retail brand, with a cultural connection to the Memphis musicians inspired by its name.
Big Star began in 1937 as part of the David Pender Grocery Company in the United States. Its self-service supermarkets started replacing the smaller, full-service Pender stores. By the late 1940s, the company had rebranded as Colonial Stores. Around 1968, Colonial revived the Big Star name for a discount chain, and eventually all stores were closed or converted to the Big Star name. Grand Union purchased the chain in 1978. In 1988, stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia were sold to Harris Teeter. The Georgia stores were sold in 1992, with most Atlanta locations going to A&P. After heavy remodeling, those stores were eventually sold to Publix in 1999. The source distinguishes this chain from later stores operating under the Big Star name in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee, which belonged to a franchise operation and were not directly connected to the original chain. The name also inspired Alex Chilton and Chris Bell when they named their Memphis rock band.
| Heart | Round | |
| Diameter, in | 3.21 | 2.80 |
Product features
- 100% white ceramic construction — strong and durable
- Double-sided print with matte finish option
- Golden hanging string included
- UV-decorated for lasting color
- Available in white or gold gift packaging (single ornament per pack)
Care instructions
- Use a microfiber cloth to gently remove any dust or dirt build-up. Avoid harsh chemicals or cleaners. Instead, dampen a cotton wool swab in warm water (just a few drops per liter of water) and gently roll the swab over the ornament and refrain from scrubbing
EU representative: HONSON VENTURES LIMITED, gpsr@honsonventures.com, 3, Gnaftis House flat 102, Limassol, Mesa Geitonia, 4003, CY
Product information: Generic brand, two year warranty in the EU and Northern Ireland
Care instructions: Use a microfiber cloth to gently remove any dust or dirt build-up. Avoid harsh chemicals or cleaners. Instead, dampen a cotton wool swab in warm water (just a few drops per liter of water) and gently roll the swab over the ornament and refrain from scrubbing