San Antonio’s Zebraz gay pride shop approaches 30 years – mySA
If you’ve ever driven down Main Avenue, the giant, technicolor zebra sign protruding from Glen Chase’s shop has likely caught your eye. If you’ve never been in, perhaps you’ve been informed that Zebraz is a sex shop. If so, you’ve been misled. Chase explains that the store is primarily a gay pride shop and has been since it first opened its doors in 1995. It carries a wide selection of LGBTQ+ positive merchandise and apparel, it just also happens to carry your standard salacious adult products.
“We’ve got streetwear, we’ve got lingerie, you know, it runs the full gamut,” says Chase. “It’s almost like a complete department store.”
A keystone of San Antonio’s “gay strip,” Zebraz is a significant landmark in the city’s LGBTQ+ history.
History
In 1987, Chase opened Encore Video, a “novelty” and porn video store. “Zebraz is just an extension of that,” shares Chase.
After finding some success, he opened Zebraz in 1995, which initially didn’t sell any adult products and instead operated exclusively as a Pride shop.
The original Zebraz was located further from downtown, nestled in a more rural area. However, after The Great Flood of 1998, Chase and his business partner moved operations to the current location on Main Avenue. Even in the 90s, when nightclubs like Heat and Sparky’s were just a twinkle in the corridor’s eyes, the street was known for being gay friendly, with several bars operating nearby.
While the store has changed some in its nearly 30 years of service, something that has remained steadfast is Zebraz’s commitment to e-commerce. Early adopters of the web, Zebraz created a website in 1996 and immediately started selling its products online, shares Chase. Back then, internet users would have to complete and mail paperwork in order to obtain a domain name for their website. Originally, Chase wanted to name the shop Zebras (without the Z). However, when he went to request the domain name, it was already taken.
“I think we missed it by like two weeks,” says Chase.
“Zebraz” would’ve been called “Zebras” if it weren’t for a claimed Internet domain.
Camille Sauers/MySA
Zebraz Today
Chase’s favorite part of running the shop has always been being able to offer pride items to the local LGBTQ+ community. “We’re gonna keep doing that, I think that’s where we’re at” he says.
He also finds Zebraz to be a pretty singular presence in San Antonio.
“You known, we’re pretty unique,” Chase says. “I mean, there’s other shops that I think that have popped up, but then they don’t last very long.”
Top sellers at Zebraz these days fall within the apparel category. The pride merchandise, and especially the swimsuits (which Zebraz sells year-round), are particularly popular. So is its selection of leather goods, from kink-signaling harnesses to other accessories.
As for Main Avenue, things are expanding. Chase tells me that a bar is looking to open in the building right next door.
“I don’t know, it may be good for us or it may be bad for us,” he says. “Obviously, it’s nice, because it’s all in the little neighborhood and everybody’s doing similar type thing. It’s just a little area where people can escape. So ultimately, I think it’s good, it can expand.”
Find it: 1608 N Main Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212