Where to Shop in Charleston: The Top Can't-Miss Shops on Charleston's King Street

Historical walks, amazing restaurants, and yes, the best shopping I've visited in a long time! Check out this list of can't-miss shops on Charleston's historic King Street - you won't be disappointed!

Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, I will make a commission, at no extra charge to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Updated April, 2020.

Off to Charleston?

This is first post (of hopefully many) on our recent visit to Charleston, South Carolina. On what I realized was my third visit to Charleston, I was even more impressed with the city than ever. 

Interestingly, Charleston has become significantly nicer in the face of the recent tourist onslaught, rather than a jumble of shopping hawking junky trinkets. You'll find more than enough to fill your days, and this history major is going to use her first post to discuss shopping & restaurants, rather than historical walks (those will come later).

One of my absolute favorite spots in Charleston is King Street, which offers far more unique and high-end shopping than one might expect for a small city that normally tops the tourist destination hot spots list. 

So let's walk through a few of my recommended shops on King Street in Charleston!

King Street, Charleston

A historic Charleston street, King Street has welcomed visitors for over 300 years, for various reasons - it wasn't always a shopping haven. Since the mid-20th century, though, it's been the shopping hub of Charleston, and thanks to a recent facelift, it's nicer than ever!

​Starting where I dropped the pin below and continuing straight South-ish toward the water (where the yellow coloration is), King Street is longer than you'd expect. Filled with a mix of chain stores (Lilly Pulitzer, Banana Republic, Vineyard Vines), extreme high-end spots (Louis Vuitton), and sprinkled with independent boutiques and non-clothing stores, discussed below, it's a well-done blend that almost certainly has something to appeal to every shopper!

​And, on top of everything else, you'll be walking in the direction of the most historic homes in Charleston, so you can keep a bored companion enticed with upcoming historical sights!

Best Shops on King Street:

King Street Shopping: lou lou's Boutique

A staple of small-town, Eastern Seaboard shopping, lou lou's truly made my day, with reasonably priced, on-trend items, in a quaint setting with helpful staff. What more could you want? I snagged the most phenomenal jacket/sweater/wrap/cloak just to fit in with my trendy fellow shoppers!

King Street Shopping: George C. Birlant & Company

George C. Birlant & Co.

Even if you aren't looking to open your wallet for fine antiques, check out George C. Birlant & Co., a purveyor of antiques in Charleston, has been going strong for nearly 100 years. It's certainly worth a poke around- I promise you'll be impressed by the quality and quantity of the high-end items. We had a good time with the 18th-century British political cartoons (nerds).

King Street Shopping: The Skinny Dip: Charleston Edition

Recommended by a friend when we visited for her wedding, The Skinny Dip offers a "designer collective," including adorable sweaters and all sorts of phenomenal prints and dresses.

King Street Shopping: Ben Silver

You may have received their catalogue over the years - we certainly did - but you really need to visit Ben Silver for all your Saville Row needs right here in the US of A! Ben Silver of Charleston offers the most phenomenal coat buttons, classic ties, and coat patches I've ever seen, this side of the Atlantic, and helpful staff, to boot!

King Street Shopping: Peyton William Jewelry

If you're looking for hand-made, high-end jewelry, look no further than Peyton William's two locations on King Street. A regional boutique, with a few locations in South Carolina in Florida, Peyton William offers classic designs with a fun twist, and gorgeous shops.

King Street Shopping: Preservation Society of Charleston

My absolute favorite on the list, The Preservation Society of Charleston's King Street shop really impressed me. Selling all sorts of unique, historic books alongside clothing items and Christmas decor, they really have it all. Talk about tasteful souvenirs - and they're all for a good cause! Once you've spent even a few minutes exploring this city, you'll want to support its preservation as much as possible.

King Street: Where to Eat

No post about Charleston would be complete without at least some mention of food! Here are two spots we enjoyed on King Street:

• The Ordinary: For amazing seafood in an adorable atmosphere, look no further than The Ordinary, at the top of King Street.
• Virginia's on King: More of a casual bar atmosphere, Virginia's on King offers classic Southern fare (and they will never quit refiling your sweet tea). It's not too far from Marion Square and The Dewberry (where we stayed during our visit - worth grabbing a drink in the bar!)

The Ordinary, King Street, Charleston

And, if you keep walking through the remainder of the shopping district, you'll be close to Husk and Blind Tiger Pub, closer to the historic home area of town!

Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks again for stopping by! Hope you enjoy Charleston as much as we always have and feel free to drop your King Street shopping recommendations below! And don't forget to sign-up for the blog newsletter!

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