Lower King Street, Charleston's Traditional Shopping District
It would be difficult to separate Charleston's antebellum homes from the magnificent furniture, porcelain, silver, art and other finery that filled them. As far back as the late 1700s, a new breed of cabinetmakers, silversmiths and other craftsmen began evolving to meet the demands of wealthy planters and merchants for fine items to fill their mansions that lined the peninsular city. These craftsmen often had King Street addresses.
By the early 19th century, hundreds of small businesses also traded along King Street, many selling to eager shoppers from wagons loaded with cotton and other goods parked along the street. Sadly, in the years after the Civil War, this once bustling marketplace fell into ruin.
Even as Charleston struggled to recover after years of war, and bouts of devastating fires, hurricanes and earthquakes, the wares of the city's fine craftsmen did not go unnoticed by savvy dealers from up and down the East Coast. By 1920, the antiques industry was going strong in Charleston, even as King Street remained virtually abandoned.
By the middle of the 20th century, a group of visionary men and women began restoring Charleston to its former beauty and elegance. King Street was no exception. As a new decade of hope unfolded, what remained of the old shops and businesses along King were restored and reopened.
Today, Charleston's traditional shopping district, those few historic blocks of King Street that stretch from Broad Street to Market Street, again exemplify a thriving shopper's paradise. This eclectic assortment of retail establishments is epitomized by the contrast between Berlin's—a Charleston shopping institution for nearly 150 that stands at the southernmost end of "Lower King" at the corner of King and Broad streets—to the modern magnificence of Saks Fifth Avenue that accentuates the northern corner at King and Market streets.
Shoppers can literally find anything they need or want on Lower King. Fine art, clothing, home furnishings and décor, toys, jewelry, flowers, gifts, inns and restaurants… you name it, it's here.
Today, one section of Lower King, between Beaufain and Queen streets, has been dubbed "The Antiques District" by locals. This district offers an opportunity for anyone interested to browse the finest antique shops in America. Charleston also boasts some of the nation's foremost experts-in-residence in period English and American furniture, silver, porcelain and art.
Those who take the time to stroll Lower King soon realize there's a lot more there than shopping. Garden walks meander off King Street leading to some of the city's hidden treasures. A number of historic buildings line the street, including the Charleston Library Society, established in 1748. It's a place where visitors are free to wander, to shop, and to enjoy their day in Charleston.
Charleston's Fashion District
The opening of Charleston Place on the northeast corner of King and Market in 1986 is widely credited with revitalizing that portion of Lower King Street. Charleston Place's shops spill over onto King Street just above "antiques row" where the ardent shopper can find trendy stores featuring jewelry, shoes and fine clothiers.
What Charleston Place started along King more than 20 years ago has taken on a twist with an explosion of high-fashion and fashion-forward shops and boutiques. Avid shoppers looking for the latest fashions out of South Beach, New York and Paris need look no further than King Street, where they can amble between the one-of-a-kind locally-owned boutiques and national clothing chains while taking in all the hottest trends of the season.
Scattered between the clothing boutiques, shoppers will also discover the latest "fashions" for their homes. Locally-owned home furnishings and décor stores offer the kind of friendly, personal service that has always been the tradition of King Street merchants.
On Saturdays during the spring and summer months, be sure to stop by the Charleston Farmer's Market. Located in Marion Square on King Street between Calhoun and Hutson streets, the market showcases over 50 local farmers and growers. Residents and visitors alike have the opportunity to take home the freshest Lowcountry-grow fruits, vegetables and herbs. And the shady, European feel of Marion Square, with its ample parking and restrooms makes it the perfect place to stop and relax on your journey up King Street.
Upper King—Charleston's New Design District
For the last few years, Upper King Street, which lies just north of Calhoun Street, has undergone a facelift. With the completion of the city's multimillion dollar streetscape in that area, a leisurely walk along this busy stretch suggests that Upper King is fast becoming the city's "place to be." With more than $400 million in private investment already in the works, it's no wonder that Upper King is attracting professional offices, and increasingly upscale restaurants, retail businesses and nightlife offerings.
Even as a number of hotel and condominium developers stake claims along and adjacent Upper King Street, a number of design-related businesses have already opened their doors on this thriving business thoroughfare. Architects and interior designers were among the first to realize the potential for the street's historic structures, which were for decades innocuous in a city known internationally for its magnificent antebellum architecture.
Renovating storefronts and hanging "open for business" signs soon drew others from the design community eager to bring both traditional and modern interior design ideas to a sophisticated local clientele. Not to be left out, savvy visitors soon began making their way from Lower King to Upper King in order to indulge in a different shopping experience.
Furniture stores that have long-served discriminating Charlestonians were recently joined by other more modern home furnishing and décor establishments, along with a new crop of antique stores and showrooms featuring the finest in lighting and fixtures. All this, plus a smattering of cool new restaurants, both casual and upscale, and the hottest night spots in downtown Charleston makes this one the fastest growing retail districts in the Southeast.
…and beyond
Even with everything King Street has to offer the most avid shoppers, it is certainly not the only retail game in town. The Old City Market, located in the heart of Charleston between Meeting Street and the Cooper River waterfront, has been a primary shopping district in the city for more than 200 years, drawing millions of tourists annually with its colorful variety of wares and dining options. To the west just a block beyond bustling Meeting Street, the home of T-shirts and souvenir stores, restaurants and one of the city's upscale consignment shops, the flavor of Market Street shopping changes, taking on a more upscale flavor. It's a place where King Street's Antiques District has spilled over, and the many retail offerings include a shop that caters to pet lovers… a local favorite.
Located at the west end of the historic Old City Market, East Bay Street has been the hub of commerce in Charleston since the late 1600s. 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 and the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center, where visitors can catch a tour boat to Fort Sumter. After a day of learning and exploration, visitors can enjoy the many shops and restaurants now open in Fountain Walk, an exciting commercial and retail center adjacent to the Aquarium. 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 amid 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.
A venture down Broad Street is one of the most charming experiences visitors to the city can enjoy. Continuing its traditional role as Charleston's economic hub, Broad Street is home to a number of interesting shops, drawing passers-by in with their unique offerings of clothing, fashion accessories, home décor items, gifts and collectibles. The beauty and character of this street also provides the perfect backdrop for Gallery Row, the city's most diverse collection of fine art galleries. "The Row" spotlights the works of many of the city's treasured local emerging and nationally recognized artists, who offer art connoisseurs originals and prints in a variety of media, including oils, clay, stone, pastels, art glass, sculpture, acrylics, pottery, watercolors, mixed media and photography. Gallery Row has helped propel Charleston onto the national stage, earning the city the designation as one of the top art destination in America.
Of course, there's no shortage of dining establishments to assuage the hungry shopping adventurer. Everything from a cup of coffee and a snack, to a casual lunch among the locals, to a full evening dining experience is available on historic Broad Street.
Consignment Shopping
Everyone is doing it! Consignment shopping is one of the hottest trends sweeping the nation… from fashionable Hollywood superstars who seem to adore their vintage clothing to the financially constrained college kids who love saving a few bucks—and everyone in between. More and more visitors to Charleston are getting a handle on local consignment establishments before they arrive so they can hit the ground running for a day or two of bargain shopping while in town.
The Trunk Show, located at 281 Meeting St., has been a shopping staple for Charleston visitors for several years, offering designer dresses, handbags and shoes, and vintage apparel. This high-end consignment shop is also known for its estate and other jewelry, and features a "back room" that's all about interior design.
Other entrepreneurs have taken notice of the popularity in consignment shopping and jumped in to meet the rising demand. The high-fashion consignment trend has even hit King St., with the opening of Butterfly Women's Consignment Boutique at 482 King. The shop offers authentic brand-label, like-new, in-season, in-style women's fashionable clothing and accessories. Butterfly also has two locations in Mount Pleasant.
Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty has the connections and insights of nine generations of Charlestonians. Daniel Ravenel SIR is an independent and locally owned company that only staffs counselors who are native to, or well-established in Charleston. We are familiar with every detail of the Charleston real estate market. We know the Battery to the Beaches and everything in between, and this makes us better able to anticipate and more importantly act on opportunities. Nearly $1 billion in real estate transactions since 1983.
Fine art gallery, framemakers and restoration studio. Coleman Fine Art has been representing regional and national artists for over 30 years. The gallery specializes in Contemporary American paintings of both the American Impressionist and Realist schools. Currently representing John Cosby, Marc R. Hanson, George Strickland, Kevin MacPherson, Mary Whyte, Gregory Packard, W. Jason Situ and Galust Berberian. Located in historic downtown Charleston and within walking distance of all major hotels. Located on Church Street.
In a 19th century brick warehouse located just north of historic Broad Street, you'll taste what the Maverick brand of southern cooking is all about. Award-winning executive chef Frank Lee starts with the Carolina Lowcountry's rich resources, then adds his own blend of flavors from Charleston's multicultural heritage. The open kitchen brings this whole process within view. Specializing in seafood and fine wines. Inducted into the Fine Dining Hall of Fame, 2008.
It would be difficult to separate Charleston's antebellum homes from the magnificent furniture, porcelain, silver, art and other finery that filled them. As far back as the late 1700s, a new breed of cabinetmakers, silversmiths and other craftsmen began evolving to meet the demands of wealthy planters and merchants for fine items to fill their mansions that lined the peninsular city. These craftsmen often had King Street addresses.
Shoppers can literally find anything they need or want on Lower King. Fine art, clothing, home furnishings and décor, toys, jewelry, flowers, gifts, inns and restaurants… you name it, it's here.
The opening of Charleston Place on the northeast corner of King and Market in 1986 is widely credited with revitalizing that portion of Lower King Street. Charleston Place's shops spill over onto King Street just above "antiques row" where the ardent shopper can find trendy stores featuring jewelry, shoes and fine clothiers.
Scattered between the clothing boutiques, shoppers will also discover the latest "fashions" for their homes. Locally-owned home furnishings and décor stores offer the kind of friendly, personal service that has always been the tradition of King Street merchants.
For the last few years, Upper King Street, which lies just north of Calhoun Street, has undergone a facelift. With the completion of the city's multimillion dollar streetscape in that area, a leisurely walk along this busy stretch suggests that Upper King is fast becoming the city's "place to be." With more than $400 million in private investment already in the works, it's no wonder that Upper King is attracting professional offices, and increasingly upscale restaurants, retail businesses and nightlife offerings.
Renovating storefronts and hanging "open for business" signs soon drew others from the design community eager to bring both traditional and modern interior design ideas to a sophisticated local clientele. Not to be left out, savvy visitors soon began making their way from Lower King to Upper King in order to indulge in a different shopping experience.
Even with everything King Street has to offer the most avid shoppers, it is certainly not the only retail game in town. The Old City Market, located in the heart of Charleston between Meeting Street and the Cooper River waterfront, has been a primary shopping district in the city for more than 200 years, drawing millions of tourists annually with its colorful variety of wares and dining options. To the west just a block beyond bustling Meeting Street, the home of T-shirts and souvenir stores, restaurants and one of the city's upscale consignment shops, the flavor of Market Street shopping changes, taking on a more upscale flavor. It's a place where King Street's Antiques District has spilled over, and the many retail offerings include a shop that caters to pet lovers… a local favorite.
A venture down Broad Street is one of the most charming experiences visitors to the city can enjoy. Continuing its traditional role as Charleston's economic hub, Broad Street is home to a number of interesting shops, drawing passers-by in with their unique offerings of clothing, fashion accessories, home décor items, gifts and collectibles. The beauty and character of this street also provides the perfect backdrop for Gallery Row, the city's most diverse collection of fine art galleries. "The Row" spotlights the works of many of the city's treasured local emerging and nationally recognized artists, who offer art connoisseurs originals and prints in a variety of media, including oils, clay, stone, pastels, art glass, sculpture, acrylics, pottery, watercolors, mixed media and photography. Gallery Row has helped propel Charleston onto the national stage, earning the city the designation as one of the top art destination in America.
Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty has the connections and insights of nine generations of Charlestonians. Daniel Ravenel SIR is an independent and locally owned company that only staffs counselors who are native to, or well-established in Charleston. We are familiar with every detail of the Charleston real estate market. We know the Battery to the Beaches and everything in between, and this makes us better able to anticipate and more importantly act on opportunities. Nearly $1 billion in real estate transactions since 1983.
Fine art gallery, framemakers and restoration studio. Coleman Fine Art has been representing regional and national artists for over 30 years. The gallery specializes in Contemporary American paintings of both the American Impressionist and Realist schools. Currently representing John Cosby, Marc R. Hanson, George Strickland, Kevin MacPherson, Mary Whyte, Gregory Packard, W. Jason Situ and Galust Berberian. Located in historic downtown Charleston and within walking distance of all major hotels. Located on Church Street.
In a 19th century brick warehouse located just north of historic Broad Street, you'll taste what the Maverick brand of southern cooking is all about. Award-winning executive chef Frank Lee starts with the Carolina Lowcountry's rich resources, then adds his own blend of flavors from Charleston's multicultural heritage. The open kitchen brings this whole process within view. Specializing in seafood and fine wines. Inducted into the Fine Dining Hall of Fame, 2008.
