To walk through the city's historic district is to succumb to the allure of the city's many quaint shops and a perfect chance to "shop until you drop." Perhaps you want to browse for souvenirs for those special people back home. Maybe you'd like a new outfit for a night on the town…or even a whole new wardrobe from one of Charleston's upscale clothing stores. Perhaps you'd like to sample homemade delectables from a bakery or candy shop….or get lost in a used bookstore hunting for a first edition. Just about anything you can imagine is available in the Charleston area marketplace.
A great place for any shopping enthusiast to start is the Old City Market. The Market has been a primary shopping district in the city for nearly 200 years. Stretching from East Bay Street all the way to Meeting Street, it was built on land given to the City of Charleston in the 18th century by Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Vendors include many local artisans and international importers who occupy the Open Air Market and the adjoining enclosed Rainbow Market. Not only do they bring flair and individuality to this unique shopping district, they also guarantee that you'll always find something unusual to take home. Local crafts, including the famous Charleston sweetgrass baskets, are popular along with a whole menagerie of collectibles, clothing, and miscellany. While you're there, stop by the many fine stores and restaurants that line either side of the historic Market. In fact, you should plan to make a day of it.
Located at the west end of the historic Market, East Bay Street has been the hub of commerce in Charleston since the late 1600s. Where rice, indigo and cotton were once bought and sold, many specialty shops and restaurants now occupy the refurbished buildings and warehouses that line the waterfront street. Just off of East Bay is Aquarium Wharf, one of Charleston's newest shopping and entertainment hubs. Aquarium Wharf is home to the South Carolina Aquarium, the Charleston IMAX® Theatre and the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center, where visitors can catch a tour boat to Fort Sumter. After a day of learning and exploration, they can enjoy the many new shops and restaurants now open in Fountain Walk, which is part of the Aquarium/IMAX® complex.
A walk down Queen Street is like stepping back in time. Charming boutiques, and galleries featuring the works of many nationally and internationally renowned artists, stand amidst homes and professional businesses for a picture of life from a bygone era. Peek into the manicured gardens behind the ironwork, or stop for a meal or refreshment along the way. You'll always be surprised at what you might find on Queen Street.
Don't forget historic King Street, the home of some of Charleston's oldest and finest merchants. The city's retail corridor since the 1800s, King Street shopping stretches from Broad Street all the way to the Cooper River bridges. Imagine strolling a street nearly 20 blocks long bedecked with palmetto trees, charming architecture, inns, cafes and a variety of extraordinary shops and galleries. The Shops at Charleston Place and The Riviera on this famous retail street offer an exclusive collection of world-famous boutiques ensuring guests and residents another truly unique shopping experience in the heart of downtown Charleston.
You can also find gift items, books, handmade jewelry, decorative sculpture, prints, posters and more in Charleston's exquisite museum shops.
If you're up for a short trip to the beach you won't want to miss one of the area's newest shopping sensations, Freshfields Village. Located just before the gate at Kiawah Island, this 60-acre shopping center features dozens of shops and offices, as well as 200 residential units, 10 acres of parks and an outdoor amphitheater. This upscale complex is anchored by Newton Farms, a premium marketplace that showcases fine foods from around the world in a sophisticated, yet familiar "farmer's market" atmosphere, where nothing but the best is offered.
Whatever you're seeking, from the fashionable to the exotic to the rare, Charleston guarantees a memorable "shop until you drop" experience.
Bountiful Bargains
The Tanger Outlet Center of Charleston, which opened in the fall of 2006, is the Charleston area's first authentic brand-name outlet shopping center concept. Designed with an upscale, Southern charm reminiscent of historic downtown Charleston with its many intimate streets and squares, this 352,000-square-foot mall features more than 100 famous brand names and designer outlet stores, along with a food court, all serving the area's local population as well as its five million annual visitors.
"For everyone who loves to find the very best deals around, I cordially welcome you to Tanger Outlet Center," says Stanley K. Tanger, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Tanger Outlet Centers. "Here you buy direct from the manufacturer and enjoy our low-price guarantee—so it's always bargain season whenever you visit us."
The Center offers the best outlet prices on the finest brand-name merchandise, from men, women and children's clothing, shoes and accessories to jewelry, luggage and leather goods, to gifts, sporting gear, housewares and electronics.
After just a few months, the outlet-shopping destination located just of I-26 near the Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston is already proving itself as a wonderful complement to the many area attractions, historic sites and entertainment venues for which the Charleston areas is so famous. The Tanger Outlet Center of Charleston is the company's fifth upscale outlet shopping center in South Carolina. The company's two outlet shopping centers in Hilton Head and two outlet shopping centers in Myrtle Beach have been major tourist attractions for the state, attracting more than 13 million shoppers annually. The Charleston location is estimated to attract some four million shoppers each year.
For a guide to shopping in Charleston, click here.
Charleston's manufacturing jeweler with an experienced staff of certified gemologists, diamond, colored stone graders and master jewelers. “Skatell” her how you feel with heartfelt engraving, a special stone or a custom-designed mounting; all made to your exacting standards.
Visit our elegant 19th century headquarters in beautiful Charleston to find the finest shirtings, tailored garments and understated accessories. Classic style has always been our business. When unable to visit us, please browse our site or call us for our catalog: 1-800-221-4671.
Freshfields Village is a neighborhood of locally owned businesses located close to Charleston’s sea island resorts, where shop owners and their customers know each other by first-name. Like the village greens in 1800’s, Freshfields is a center for entertainment.
To walk through the city's historic district is to succumb to the allure of the city's many quaint shops and a perfect chance to "shop until you drop." Perhaps you want to browse for souvenirs for those special people back home. Maybe you'd like a new outfit for a night on the town…or even a whole new wardrobe from one of Charleston's upscale clothing stores. Perhaps you'd like to sample homemade delectables from a bakery or candy shop….or get lost in a used bookstore hunting for a first edition. Just about anything you can imagine is available in the Charleston area marketplace.
A walk down Queen Street is like stepping back in time. Charming boutiques, and galleries featuring the works of many nationally and internationally renowned artists, stand amidst homes and professional businesses for a picture of life from a bygone era. Peek into the manicured gardens behind the ironwork, or stop for a meal or refreshment along the way. You'll always be surprised at what you might find on Queen Street.
"For everyone who loves to find the very best deals around, I cordially welcome you to Tanger Outlet Center," says Stanley K. Tanger, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Tanger Outlet Centers. "Here you buy direct from the manufacturer and enjoy our low-price guarantee—so it's always bargain season whenever you visit us."
Charleston's manufacturing jeweler with an experienced staff of certified gemologists, diamond, colored stone graders and master jewelers. “Skatell” her how you feel with heartfelt engraving, a special stone or a custom-designed mounting; all made to your exacting standards. 
Visit our elegant 19th century headquarters in beautiful Charleston to find the finest shirtings, tailored garments and understated accessories. Classic style has always been our business. When unable to visit us, please browse our site or call us for our catalog: 1-800-221-4671.
Freshfields Village is a neighborhood of locally owned businesses located close to Charleston’s sea island resorts, where shop owners and their customers know each other by first-name. Like the village greens in 1800’s, Freshfields is a center for entertainment.
