Ohio C-Store Leans Into Local Bigfoot Lore

By Al Hebert

Bigfoot probably doesn’t come to mind when you think about c-stores. There is perhaps one exception: the Blue Creek General Store in Blue Creek, Ohio.

The store owner, Patel, bought Blue Creek General Store three years ago. He inherited a Bigfoot statue that stands right by the front door.

The Bigfoot connection traces back to a few years ago when a hunter supposedly saw Bigfoot in the area.

“People believe Bigfoot is around here. We haven’t found it yet. We have lots of people looking for it. Hunters put up cameras and recorders for the deer during hunting season. Those will also pick up Bigfoot,” explained Patel. He says one recording didn’t sound like any animal he knows of. “There’s a lot of noise in the forest at night, but you can tell the difference with this one.”

Bigfoot-Sized Portions

One place you can always find a Bigfoot: The menu at Blue Creek General Store.

The most popular item at the store is the Bigfoot sub. It’s made with seasoned ham, eight strips of bacon, pepperoni, salami and capicola. Then it’s baked in the oven and topped with lettuce, tomatoes, banana peppers, onions and Italian dressing.

A Destination for Tourists and Regulars

Shawnee State Park is nearby. “Tourists come to my store. There’s no other store around, just mine,” Patel said. Even though he doesn’t have competition nearby, Patel keeps prices reasonable. “I need to ensure that my year-round customers are taken care of. If they cannot afford the prices, I lose the business. The area has few jobs. So if I want them to keep coming, the prices can’t be too much for their pockets,” he said.

Continue reading about Blue Creek General Store in the March 2026 issue of NACS Magazine’s Gas Station Gourmet column.