Neighborhood grocery transforms into ‘a general store with a diner’ on MS Coast. Take a look

It’s been open since the 1950s, but the new owners made some changes at Woolmarket Grocery and hosted a grand opening Friday to show them off to the community.

Sam Hasley, a D’Iberville native, and his wife Chastity bought the store at 12874 Lorraine Road, Biloxi, in November. Since then they’ve worked to transform it into a town gathering spot.

He went to school to be a baker but instead became a boat captain, ferrying workers and supplies to oil rigs off the coast of Louisiana. Every small town along the water in South Louisiana has places to get groceries, clothing and a restaurant all in one, he said.

“That’s where the idea came from,” he said. “We’re a general store with a diner.”

He carries a nautical theme throughout the restaurant with photos of his boat. He fashioned the bar out of reclaimed wood bolted together to look like a dock.

The dining room has tables and chairs along the windows and the pool table is in a separate room and the entire restaurant is nonsmoking.

Also on Friday, Chastity Hasley opened Pistols and Pearls Boutique in the same building.

The Hasleys occupy the entire building and when they finish the makeover on the inside, they plan to paint it gray with maroon touches and make it look even more nautical, Sam said.

What’s cooking?

The blue crabs, shrimp and crawfish in season are all local, he said. He’s a licensed fisherman and said, “I catch the crab myself.” Oysters will be added in September, and months with an “R.”

The kitchen is outside, where seafood is boiled and meat smoked for pulled pork and other favorites.

“All our meat is smoked in a pellet cooker,” he said.

The menu changes daily. Pork chops and gravy along with spaghetti are most always on the menu and the daily lunch specials posted on Facebook might be red beans and rice, hamburger steak or other Southern dishes.

In the grocery and seafood market are crabs ready to take-out, along with prime rib ready to cook, egg rolls, duck eggs from local farms, deli meat, boudin and hog head sausage.

The restaurant is open daily, with lunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner Monday through Saturday from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Lunch specials are $12.99 and on Sundays, they serve po-boys and pizza for lunch only.

Keeping with the general store theme, they also have ice, bait, propane, beer and other supplies.