It's the heart of Charleston's French Quarter, where the Huguenots
first set up their houses and shops in the 18th century. It
was once the very center of the old city, and much of its
early ambiance and heritage remains in evidence today. For
a city that's famous for all that's old and historic, shoppers
today have easier-than-ever access to all things that are
new and exciting. From fashions to home furnishings, from
best-sellers to sporting goods, the Low country has it all.
The older shopping haunts have been updated and expanded plus
whole new shopping destinations have sprung up in high growth
areas where the expanding population has called for them.The
variety ranges in size from specialty-shop enclaves in downtown
nooks and crannies to major shopping centers and the seemingly
endless random strip malls. Below we have provided a few unique
stores that show the range and quality of shopping stores
in the area.
Historic Charleston Reproductions Shop
105 Broad St. * (843) 723-8292
The Reproductions Shop for the Historic Charleston Foundation
is at the corner of King and Broad streets. It's the showroom
for home furnishings, accessories, and giftware authorized
by the foundation. All items for sale have an accompanying
product card explaining the item's historical significance
to Charleston's history and the Charlestonian lifestyle. The
shop features Baker Furniture's Historic Charleston collection
of 18th- and 19th-century reproductions of furniture from
famous Charleston homes. It also carries dinnerware patterns
and brass accessories, fabrics, and wallpaper as well as rugs
and jewelry.
Le Creuset
241 King St. * (843) 723-4191
Most folks don't know that the famous French enameled cast-iron
cookware known as Le Creuset has a manufacturing plant right
here in the Lowcountry. It's in Yemassee, South Carolina,
about an hour's drive from Charleston, and the good news is
the factory outlet on King Street. The ordinarily pricey cookware
is considerably discounted here--a boon to gourmets who happen
across this downtown store. You're likely to pick up some
wine and champagne accessories, too, along with some nifty
cooking gadgets.
Palais Royal
The Shops at Charleston Place, 243 King St. * (843) 853-4331
This is the store for fine French linens--everything for
the bed, bath, and table. All the merchandise is natural fiber--either
linen or Egyptian cotton. Palais Royal also carries goose-down
duvets and pillows that veritably evoke pastel mornings on
the Left Bank. To complete the scene, the shop carries a variety
of hand-painted porcelain and other table graces. If you love
Paris, there's a little bit of it here.
Studio
314 King St. * (843) 722-2762
For those in the market for upscale contemporary look, Studio
is a cornucopia of merchandise and ideas. The key word, here,
is contemporary. They carry lighting and interesting accent
pieces plus furnishing by famous names like NambP, Knoll,
American Leather, Artemide, and the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA).
They can work with your interior designer or outsource decorating
services for the special "look" you're seeking.
Stein Mart
St. Andrews Shopping Center, 975 Savannah Hwy. * (843) 763-2444
The men's (and boys') section of this high-end discount store
is quite extensive. You can find a good selection of suits
and sports coats in short, regular, and long sizes. Expect
to see designer labels as well as fine Italian cuts among
the lot. Shirts, ties, sports clothes of all kinds, and underwear
complete the selection. Stein Mart has frontline women's fashion
apparel in its Boutique section and accessories that are considerably
discounted. There are hats, shoes, purses, jewelry, hair accessories,
and hosiery too. The store also carries a large selection
of gifts, linens, and special things for the home.
