T.S.
CHU'S
Department Store
"If it's something you use, you'll find it in Chu's!"
TYBEE'S ONE-STOP SHOP
In 1933 a timid young man named Ting Shan Chu, from the village of Chekiang, came to the Chicago World's Fair as a student representative of his Shanghai province. Chiang Kai-shek, who became leader of the Republic of China in 1928, lived nearby.
After visiting Coral Gables, Florida for a short time, Ting Shan came to Tybee and rented a room for the summer. When a seventy-year-old man by the name of Mr. Frier arrived with his ill wife, it was too late to reserve a room anywhere nearby. Ting Shan turned his over to the stranger. The next morning, Mr. Frier found him sleeping outside. Impressed, Mr. Frier told the young man that because Mrs. Frier was ill, he could no longer come each summer to run the trinket kiosk on the Strand. The man offered Mr. Chu his small business if the young man would pay off a $700 debt.
"I ask . . . how much cost? . . . Mr. Frier say, 'run shop, pay bills, pocket profits,'" said Ting Shan. The tiny fifteen by eighteen-foot space sold Chinese trinkets, ivory, backscratchers, plastic whirly birds on bamboo sticks, and paper fans. Ting Shan accepted the offer and opened T.S. Chu.
— Ting Shan Chu with May Jung Chu, as featured in "Mr. Savannah Beach" by Cliff Sewell
OUR DEPARTMENTS
Always stocked. Always moving. Everything you need for island living, all under one roof.
T-Shirts & Apparel
Tybee Island tees, long sleeves, hats & beach-ready clothing.
Souvenirs & Gifts
Tybee keepsakes, local art, jams, shell décor & one-of-a-kind finds.
Beach & Pool Toys
Floats, inflatables, umbrellas & everything for a perfect beach day.
Hardware & Supplies
Tools, automotive, cleaning products & island living essentials.
Ice Cold Drinks
Grab a cold one! Refreshing drinks for those hot Tybee days.
And So Much More
From local jams to Tybee-branded items — we've got it all!
T-Shirts & Apparel
Tybee Island tees, long sleeves, hats & beach-ready clothing.
Souvenirs & Gifts
Tybee keepsakes, local art, jams, shell décor & one-of-a-kind finds.
Beach & Pool Toys
Floats, inflatables, umbrellas & everything for a perfect beach day.
Hardware & Supplies
Tools, automotive, cleaning products & island living essentials.
Ice Cold Drinks
Grab a cold one! Refreshing drinks for those hot Tybee days.
And So Much More
From local jams to Tybee-branded items — we've got it all!
TAKE A LOOK AROUND
A treasure hunt of colorful inventory and island charm — come explore!
LOVED BY LOCALS & TOURISTS
It's hard to go to Tybee and not go in at least one tourist shop. Lots of stuff at this one. Hardware store in 1/2 of the building. We bought a dolphin/turtle tic tac toe game. We also bought a small tray with crab and octopus drawings because everyone needs one of these. They carry a large selection of t-shirts and sweatshirts.
My favorite souvenir shop on the island. Huge selection of really cool items. And they are pretty reasonable on their pricing too. Cashier was nice and friendly.
Another eclectic place on Tybee. This "department" store has some history. I'm really not sure where you could buy boiled peanuts, fishing hats, an entire island outfit, sarongs, buffs, decor for your beach house, and hammers and nails... unless it's at Chu's. I thought the prices were pretty reasonable in comparison with some of the other stores. You must make a stop here, if only to say you've been to the famous TS Chu's.
TS Chu Dept Store is your one stop shop for everything that you need for your stay on Tybee Island. They offer a lot of fun items for the pool or ocean. You can find those unique Tybee Island souvenirs here too. They have a parking lot behind the store if you can't find a spot on the road. The staff at TS Chu are very friendly and want to make sure that you are a satisfied customer. This well known establishment has been a part of Tybee Island for years and will be for more to come.
COME SEE US!
We're easy to find on the Tybee Island strip — just look for the big yellow sign!
ON THE TYBEE ISLAND STRIP
We're right in the heart of the action on Tybrisa Street — surrounded by great restaurants, shops, and just steps from the beach. Easy to find, easy to park, impossible to miss with our big yellow sign out front!
We're open every day — come on in!
FREE PARKING IN THE BACK
Finding a spot on Tybrisa can be tough — but not for our customers. Park for free in our lot right behind the store and walk straight in.
