Boulineau's: A North Myrtle Beach Legacy
Boulineau’s began in 1948 when Frank and Louise Boulineau opened a small grocery store in the quiet community of Cherry Grove Beach. After Hurricane Hazel destroyed the store in 1954, the family rebuilt and continued to serve the growing beach community.
In 1969, their son Frank and his wife Elizabeth opened Coastal Mart, sparking decades of expansion. Through the 1970s and 1980s, the business grew to include the Dairy Hut, The Barnacle gift shop, a restaurant, laundromat, and major additions to the store culminating in a 1986 expansion that doubled the size of the building and restored the Boulineau name to the storefront.
The 1990s brought even more growth with the addition of a Shell Gas Station, Food Mart, Car Wash, and a hardware store. Continued development from 1998 through the 2010s added significant square footage, new departments, and Boulineau’s iconic lighthouse.
In 2006, the Boulineau and Platt families formed a partnership, strengthening Platt’s Seafood and later expanding it with a full cooking station in 2019. Recent years have brought new ventures, including Boulineau’s Express, Sandal Land Shoe Store, and the upcoming Cherry Grove Creamery.
Today, the Boulineau’s family of businesses spans more than 200,000 square feet along Sea Mountain Highway. For more than 78 years, Boulineau’s has been part of the Cherry Grove tradition, offering everything families need, just steps from the beach.
The Boulineau’s Story
A Cherry Grove tradition passed down through generations
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1948
Humble Beginnings
Frank and Louise Boulineau opened a grocery store in the small community of Cherry Grove Beach, which at the time had fewer than 100 houses.
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1954
Hurricane Hazel
Hurricane Hazel wiped out the store along with most of Cherry Grove. A few years later, a second store rose from the storm.
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1969
Coastal Mart Opens
Frank Boulineau III and his wife Elizabeth converted part of an 8,400 sq. ft. discount store into a grocery known as Coastal Mart.
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1972
The Dairy Hut
The Dairy Hut opened, serving homemade ice cream, frozen treats, and snack items to beach goers.
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1973
Room to Grow
An additional 2,400 square feet were added to the grocery store to support the growth of Cherry Grove Beach.
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1975
The Grocery Store Becomes More Than a Store
A restaurant and laundromat were built next door, serving both locals and visitors.
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1977
The Barnacle
The nautical gift shop “Barnacle” opened, becoming Cherry Grove’s original beach shop.
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1980-82
More Store Expansion
The store expanded again to meet the needs of a growing Cherry Grove population.
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1986
The Boulineau’s Name
A major expansion doubled the store to 50,000 sq. ft., and the Boulineau’s name was proudly placed on the building.
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1994–95
Serving More Needs
A Shell Gas Station, Food Mart, Car Wash, and True Value Hardware Store opened.
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1998
Another Expansion
An additional 30,000 square feet was added to the main store.
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2014
A Touch of Elegance
The second floor expanded by 5,000 square feet with the addition of a jewelry department.
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2018
Boulineau’s Express
Boulineau’s Express opened, offering fuel, convenience items, and hot food.
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2019
Platt’s Seafood Expansion
“You buy it – we’ll fry it” came to life when Platt’s Seafood was updated with a cooking station. Today we have a full take-out menu of all your seafood favorites.
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2025-26
Sandal Land Shoe Store
The Bike Doctor was acquired by the Boulineau’s. A newly remodeled Sandal Land Shoe Store will celebrate it’s grand opening in the spring of 2026.
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2026
Cherry Grove Creamery
Opening in the spring and located across from Boulineau’s IGA on Sea Mountain Highway, just two blocks from the ocean, this old-fashioned ice cream shop will serve premium, homemade, hand-scooped ice cream and a huge selection of cold, creamy treats the whole family will love.
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Today
Boulineau’s Family of Businesses
The family of Boulineau’s businesses now span more than 200,000 square feet on Sea Mountain Highway in the heart of Cherry Grove Beach. Boulineau’s has been a destination for families for 78 years. Families book their vacations near our stores because we have everything you need within a mile of beautiful Cherry Grove Beach.