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Carve out a little time to find a memorable Holy City souvenir.

From settling in for a long lunch at Leon’s Oyster Shop to strolling the colorful length of Rainbow Row, there’s no shortage of ways to while away a weekend in Charleston, South Carolina. In between garden tours, historic home visits, and dinner reservations, you’ll want to carve out a little time to experience the Holy City’s shopping scene too. From family-owned garden boutiques to globally minded social-enterprise spots, these are our 20 favorite places to shop in Charleston.

On November 13-15, join the most celebrated chefs, sommeliers, and tastemakers for three days of tastings, seminars, shopping, and more. Buy tickets now.

Founded in 1957, the name of this family-owned nursery and garden boutique in Mount Pleasant speaks for itself: Plan to linger here over flowering annuals, seasonal containers, and an artful assortment of home goods and jewelry;

Jonathan Sanchez’s shop on King Street takes its bookstack seriously. If piled on top of each other, they claim, their collection of used, rare, and local books would reach 1,565 feet high (for comparison, the steeple of nearby St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church climbs just 265 feet). Pop in for a breezy beach novel or a Charleston-themed coffee table book to commemorate your travels;

Beyond the store’s incredible selection of time-honored favorites and new releases, the Lower King Street institution is also a community gathering place for literary events, plus a launching point for memorable walking tours, from the spooky (like their haunted Ghosts of Charleston Tour) to the storied (like historian Damon Fordham’s Lost Stories of Black Charleson or author Liz Duren’s Storied Charleston);

Shop hand-poured soy wax candles in scents pulled from their library of 100 fragrances—or make your own—in this King Street corner store, which also carries a selection of jewelry, home goods, and bath products;

This gallery in Mt. Pleasant, a suburb of Charleston, highlights burgeoning and established local artists and offers a range of works at varying price points in the spirit of encouraging collectors of all ages and backgrounds. Each month, the group also gives a percentage of art sales to benefit a selected local charity partner;

More than 300 entrepreneurs peddle their wares at the historic market, but the real reason to shop here is the resident Gullah artisans, who honor and celebrate their West African heritage through the craft of weaving sweetgrass baskets. For many of them, basket weaving is a family tradition, a craft shared from generation to generation, and seen as being a gift from God;

Helmed by the third and fourth generations of the same family, this beloved jewelry store—now in a new location on Lower King Street—is a special place to find a memorable souvenir. Peruse elegant objects for the home, like their crystal Charleston Camellia Bowl, as well as their heirloom-worthy collection of new and estate jewelry and silver;

George C. Birlant and Co.

The family-owned antiques showroom on King and Clifford Streets celebrated 100 years in 2022 and is known for its collection of fine 18th and 19th English antiques, as well as reproductions. Beyond carrying antique furnishings, silver, and crystal, they’re also the exclusive maker of the iron Charleston Battery Bench, cast in the original mold first used towards the end of the 19th century and painted in Charleston Green, a shade so deep that it almost reads black;

Helmed and designed by Mini Hay Avant, a fourth-generation jeweler and daughter of Croghan’s Jewel Box, this easy-to-gift line of costume pieces celebrates the Lowcountry’s most colorful characters, from the coveted (like summer’s okra and tomatoes) to the not-as-endearing (like the palmetto bug, aka the cockroach, which is, admittedly, much more charming in Mini’s shiny take). Housed in Croghan’s original location at 308 King Street, her new shopfront is wrapped in cheery wallpaper and features an old jukebox to boot;

Grady Ervin & Co.

For more than 30 years, this men’s clothier has been a King Street mainstay, outfitting folks in ready-made and custom suits alike. They also carry a number of South Carolina crafted goods, from feather bow ties by Brackish to one-of-a-kind Woody Brand knives;

Rethink the traditional charm bracelet with local jewelry designer Hart Hagerty’s modern take on the family heirloom. Design your own one-of-a-kind charm necklace in the brand’s Upper King Street studio, where they also carry a fun assortment of ready-made baubles, like their signature silk tassel topknot earrings and matching beaded bracelet sets for parents and children;

In a second story shop on King Street, Susan Hull Walker’s social enterprise is informed by her extensive international travels and the deep relationships she and her team have formed with women artisans in communities around the globe. In her otherworldly boutique, you’ll find an elevated collection of handmade goods, from cocktail napkins woven in Chiapas, Mexico, to gold-plated brass jewelry crafted in Colombia;

For sleepwear devotees who have only ever shopped online for the South’s favorite pajamas, a stop into their bright, airy King Street outpost is a must. Don’t miss the adorable selection of children’s toys and gifts upstairs;

Madison-Mathews

At this King Street boutique, shop local designer Caroline Chakeris’ happy line of embroidered and block-printed apparel, made from breezy cottons and linens suited for looking stylish and pulled together even during the steamiest Carolina heatwave;

If the smells of salt air and sea breezes soothe you, swing by one of this boutique’s two locations (one on King Street and one on Meeting Street) for handcrafted bath and body products (think body butters and shower steamers) that’ll let you bring Charleston’s best coastal scents home;

Out of Hand

You’ll find this eclectic shop on the charming main street of Mount Pleasant’s historic Old Village neighborhood. Stop in to browse a unique mix of clothing, natural and clean beauty brands, fresh flower bouquets, and specialty items for the home;

Owned by a College of Charleston alum, this Spring Street stationery and craft supplies shop is an ideal spot to pick up an artful (and carry-on-approved) memento. Select a Charleston-themed postcard to dash a quick “wish you were here!,” peruse boxed stationery sets from local artists, or build your own wax seal kit for the fanciest snail mail you’ll ever send;

Set to open this October, the Society Street interior design studio’s new shopfront sells a beautiful assortment of rich decorative layers destined to infuse your home with elevated style. Choose from pieces like Gogo Jewelry’s heirloom-worthy accessories, made-in-Mexico linens, or coffee table volumes from Assouline;

The Tiny Tassel

Mimi Striplin’s Spring Street shop spills over with joyful color, from her breezy dresses to the tassel jewelry that started it all. Bring home her collection’s happy style with a subscription to The Tiny Tassel Earring Club, which sends you two pairs of earrings, including new releases, every month for a year;

20

WORTHWHILE

Tucked in a new location in an historic building on the corner of Magazine and Logan Streets downtown, the beloved lifestyle store turned 30 in 2023, and it’s easy to see why it’s had such staying power: Worthwhile has a thoughtful mix of pieces for home and closet curated from a host of independent, responsible makers from around the globe;

NORTH CHARLESTON — Several dozen cats have made the parking lot of an industrial park their home, but one resident is trying to give them a new sanctuary.

Heather Perez happened upon the cat colony — that she dubbed “Whisker Village” — two years ago. She has been feeding them twice a day, every day since. Other volunteers drop by on occasion to feed the felines, but Perez has been the most consistent in taking care of them.

Since the cat community has grown so large — now somewhere between 50 and 70, Perez estimates — and have taken residence around an industrial park, Perez has made it her mission to find a more permanent home for the animals.

As it is, there’s an overabundance of stray cats around the county. Charleston Animal Society took in more than 8,000 cats in 2025, but can only house 300 in their shelters, according to Aldwin Roman, chief operating officer of the nonprofit.

To help rehome the cats, Perez started a GoFundMe on Aug. 22 with a goal of raising $100,000. The money would pay for approximately one acre of land, fencing and tiny houses — which her husband makes out of containers — so the cats have an indoor space, she said.

As of Sept. 21, people have donated more than $24,000.

Keeping the cats in North Charleston would be ideal, but Perez said she’s also looking at land in Hollywood and Ravenel.

“This is a big thing to do,” she said. “I’m aware of that, but at this point, it’s necessary. They don’t deserve to live in a busy industrial park.”

While other people do drop by on occasion to help feed the cats, Perez said she cleans up the cats’ area to be respectful to the neighboring businesses. She’s also gotten the cats spayed or neutered so they can continue to roam around without reproducing.

She also hangs out with them to try and get them used to people. She assumes most are feral because they’re uninterested in interacting with her, but Perez said around 10 have gotten comfortable enough to let her pet them.

Joe Elmore, CEO of Charleston Animal Society, said in a statement that the desire to protect the cats and give them a safer future is compassionate and commendable. But he cautions against relocating stray cats unless they face a “serious and unavoidable threat” in their current home.

“Cats are territorial and strongly attached to their familiar surroundings,” he said. “If they are moved without a carefully managed acclimation process, they may attempt to return, become lost or face a significantly reduced chance of survival.”

If a relocation is truly necessary, Elmore said it should be done with experienced animal welfare guidance. The new site should have a committed caretaker, dependable food and water, appropriate shelter, ongoing veterinary care and a secure acclimation period to allow the cats to become accustomed to their new surroundings, he said.

Perez said her goal is to relocate the cats before winter.

MORNING HEADLINES | The deadline is fast approaching if you want to vote in the Nov. 3 midterm elections. South Carolina residents have until Oct. 4 to register in-person or online. Residents who plan to register by mail must have their registration postmarked by Oct. 5.

Registration can be completed in just a few easy steps:

Early voting for the 2026 general election is Oct. 19 to Oct. 31. Early voting centers in each county will be open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays.

Local. Free. Independent. Those three words represent the foundation on which the stories told by the Charleston City Paper are built. Since 1997, the Charleston City Paper has provided the kind of information that people in Charleston and across South Carolina rely on. Since 2020, the newspaper has won more than 200 state and national awards for news and advertising excellence making it the top weekly newspaper in South Carolina.

The Federal Aviation Administration halted traffic at busy East coast airports, snarling more than 1,000 flights after a telecommunications circuit failed and a backup fiber cable was accidentally cut

2026: South Carolina’s U.S. Senate candidates are intensifying their campaigns across the state while increasingly targeting one another on the campaign trail.

The state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is suing the state Election Commission in a Richland County court, accusing its members of illegally conducting public business behind closed doors.

. Charleston County leaders are considering a proposal to designate the Gullah Geechee settlement of Snowden as an official historic district.

. Attorneys for Elizabeth Spratt Cooper and Park Lane Partners, LLC, filed a request in the state Court of Appeals on Sept. 18 asking that the case be transferred to the S.C. Supreme Court.

. The Exchange Club of North Charleston officially relaunched Monday with a community event highlighting its new focus on community service, child abuse prevention, youth development and support for local veterans.

Our online events calendar has scores of events around the Lowcountry every day, making it the most detailed calendar of what’s happening in the area. Just click on “Events” above at right under the black toolbar. You’ll be amazed at what you find.

CHARLESTON, S.C. and BOSTON – September 21, 2026 – BlueWater Marinas (“BlueWater”) and Bain Capital today announced the acquisition of Mystic River Marina (“Mystic River”), a full-service marina in Mystic, Connecticut, and Ripley Light Drystack Marina (“Ripley Light”), a premier drystack marina in Charleston, South Carolina. The two acquisitions are the sixth and seventh marinas BlueWater and Bain Capital have acquired as part of their joint venture, further expanding the platform across high-quality coastal boating markets along the East Coast.

Located in Mystic, Connecticut, Mystic River Marina is one of the oldest continually family-owned marinas on the Eastern Seaboard and has long served large vessels in one of the Northeast’s most sought-after boating destinations. The Class A, storage-centric marina is anchored by large wet slips serving seasonal and transient boaters, complemented by winter dry storage. The marina also offers a parts and service department, fuel dock, ship store, and on-site boat brokerage, along with a popular breakfast café, customer lounge, and pool. Its longstanding customer base and strong slip demand reflect the quality of both the facility and its location.Behind Mystic River’s nearly 70-year history are four generations of the Garbarino family. In 1957, "Poppa Gene" Garbarino and his brother Fred dredged the site and began installing docks, with Gene's son Bob soon working alongside his father. In the late 1970s, Bob and his brother Skip acquired the marina from Gene and Fred, continuing to build on its reputation for hard work, honesty, and exceptional customer service. As Poppa Gene retired, Bob's daughter Lauren stepped in, followed most recently by her niece Kelcey, carrying the family legacy into its fourth generation. BlueWater is honored to be entrusted by the Garbarino family as the next steward of this storied marina and is committed to carrying its legacy forward.

The second acquisition, Ripley Light, is a leading drystack marina minutes from downtown Charleston, South Carolina, with convenient access to Charleston Harbor and the region’s surrounding waterways. Serving the Lowcountry boating community since 1988, the marina features 220 dry storage slips accommodating vessels up to 40 feet. The property offers a full-service boating experience, including valet-style launch and retrieval, fuel, an on-site service department, and an established boat club. Its strong operating history, high-quality facilities, and location just minutes from downtown Charleston have made Ripley Light a premier destination for Charleston-area boaters.

Dunston Powell, a Principal at BlueWater Marinas, added, “Mystic River and Ripley Light both represent the caliber of marina we set out to acquire, properties located in core coastal boating markets with deep operating histories, loyal customer bases, and diversified, highly recurring revenue streams. We’re excited to welcome both teams to the BlueWater family and to continue investing in the experience our customers expect.”

“We continue to see attractive opportunities in marina real estate, particularly high-quality assets in established boating markets where demand is durable and new supply is difficult to develop,” said Andrew Terris, a Partner at Bain Capital Real Estate. “Mystic River and Ripley Light are strong additions to the platform we are building with BlueWater, each with a distinctive history and an important place in its local boating community. We look forward to investing alongside BlueWater to build on what has made these marinas successful while continuing to thoughtfully scale the portfolio.”

About BlueWater MarinasHeadquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, BlueWater Marinas will acquire, develop and operate coastal marina assets, including both dry and wet slips. Established by former executives and key team members of PORT 32 Marinas and Atlantic Marina Holdings, alongside several marina industry top performers, BlueWater Marinas brings unparalleled expertise in marina development and management, delivering exceptional service to its customers. With a proven track record, BlueWater Marinas will build and operate a distinguished portfolio of Class A marina assets in prime markets along the East Coast. For more information, please visit https://bw-marinas.com.

About Bain Capital Real EstateBain Capital Real Estate pursues investments in often difficult-to-access sectors underpinned by enduring secular trends that drive long-term demand growth for real estate assets and services. The Bain Capital Real Estate team has invested and committed over $10.7 billion of equity across multiple sectors as of September 30, 2025. Bain Capital Real Estate focuses on assets where the team applies its deep industry expertise to accelerate impact and drive operational improvements. Bain Capital Real Estate's strategy aligns with the value-added investment approach that Bain Capital pioneered and leverages the firm's global platform and significant experience across asset classes to further bolster its insights and sourcing capabilities. Bain Capital is one of the world's leading private investment firms, with approximately $225 billion of assets under management. For more information, visit https://www.baincapitalrealestate.com.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — The City of Charleston is set to approve a $4.5 million contract Monday for the final phase of the Central Park Drainage Basin project on James Island.

The project is the last major piece of the original drainage improvement plan for the basin, which has been the focus of city and county efforts for nearly a decade.

The 500-acre neighborhood stretches from James Island Creek near Central Park Road north toward Maybank Highway and from the Woodland Shores and Riverland areas east toward Folly Road. The area is prone to significant flooding during major rainstorms, particularly when heavy rainfall coincides with high tides.

Charleston County and the city have already completed projects on the western half of the basin. This latest project would be the first major drainage project on the eastern side.

Matthew Fountain, director of stormwater management for the city of Charleston, said the project is part of a much larger investment in the area.

“Overall, somewhere between $10 million and $20 million of investment in this basin, trying to help make it better quality of life for the residents out here,” Fountain said.

Fountain said the latest phase is the final major project included in the original framework for improving drainage in the area.

“This is the last piece of that original project framework,” Fountain said. “Is there likely to be some follow-up work? There could be.”

Fountain said the city could return to smaller areas after the major drainage infrastructure is complete to identify spots where water continues to collect.

“What we generally do is get these big arteries built where all the water can drain out and then kind of come back and spot check if there are any areas that are still holding water where we could do a smaller adjustment to help with that,” he said.

This last phase is designed to address both tidal flooding and stormwater drainage. The work will focus on the eastern side of the basin, with improvements expected to benefit neighborhoods and communities including Laurel Park, Marlborough, New Central Park Cluster and the EME Apartments.

“So, we’ll be basically cutting off those very high tide impacts at Riley Road, which is down the very south of the project, the bottom of the project,” Fountain said. “So, you won’t see that high tide flooding.”

The project will also create additional storage for rainwater during high tides and install larger pipes beneath several roads to help move water out of the area more quickly during storms.

“You’ll see really significant improvements through this project corridor from flooding,” he said.

This portion includes installing new storm drain pipes, culverts and valves, along with temporary and permanent erosion control measures and other work designed to improve drainage and tidal and flood resiliency.

But before residents see the long-term benefits, they can expect construction impacts.

The project will require temporary closures on Riley Road and Central Park Road, as well as the EME Apartments access driveway. Crews will also work in and around some residents’ backyards.

Fountain said construction could begin relatively soon after the contract receives final approval.

“The contractor normally will start mobilizing and doing some of their initial in-ground work in about a month after approval,” Fountain said. “It always varies a little bit depending on their schedules. And then that will start to trigger the bigger impacts.”

He said the city understands construction can be disruptive but wants to complete the work as quickly as possible.

“We know construction has an impact on everyone’s life and normally in a negative way during the actual project,” Fountain said. “We always appreciate patience. We want to do what we can to limit that and get the project done as quickly as possible so we can all enjoy the benefits of the project.”

The contract is being discussed during the City Committee on Public Works and Utilities meeting on Monday. If approved, it will move to the city’s Ways and Means Committee before going before the full City Council for final approval on Tuesday.

If the contract receives final approval, construction is expected to begin within the next month, with larger construction impacts expected to follow as crews move into more extensive work.

The city expects construction to be completed by the end of 2027.