With the holidays upon us, now is the time to shop for the perfect gifts for loved ones. Here are some markets and shops in the Charleston area that specialize in locally made items.
Mixson Market, a charming shopping destination within the Mixson Club in North Charleston, features great local gifts for the holidays, including provisions, creative housewares and gourmet products. Some popular food and beverage items are Callie’s Biscuits, Sweeteeth chocolates, and Springbok Coffee. The market also carries Aviate CHS hats, Green Girl Reusable products, Ink Meets Paper products, and dog treats. Families will also enjoy the café with artisanal food and beverages while they shop.
The Black Octopus Mercantile is a unique store owned by a local designer that sells everything from apparel to blankets to journals. You may have even seen some of their T-shirts on the hit Netflix show "Outer Banks," which is filmed in the Charleston area. Locals can shop their merch at The Station at Park Circle, located at 1061 East Montague Suite A in North Charleston.
The Sweetgrass Mercantile in Mount Pleasant is another unique place to shop for the holidays. and features an ACE Hardware store, a U.S. Post Office, and a local antiques and artisan mall. Not Just Frank’s Café serves breakfast, lunch and ice cream to keep the little ones happy. You can come here for lunch, buy some Christmas gifts and mail them all in one afternoon. Visit the mercantile at 3008 N. Hwy 17. thesweetgrassmercantile.com/
The Farmers Market on Marion Square (329 Meeting Street) turns into a Holiday Market on Dec. 16, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Not only will you still be able to shop for fresh produce from local farms, but you will also have a vast array of local vendors selling hand-crafted items for the holidays. There will also be live music and activities for children to enjoy as well.
The historic Charleston City Market has unique handmade items from over 100 local vendors including artwork, ornaments, soap, jewelry and more. The Night Market is open late on Fridays and Saturday nights from 6:30-10 p.m. and is a fun experience to share with the whole family.
The Blackbird Market on Johns Island offers locally made food and other products made in Charleston. You can find many local favorites such as Lowcountry Olive Oil, Wadmalaw Island BBQ Sauce and delicious treats from Saffron Bakery. There is something here for any foodie on your list, and you can also eat lunch while you’re there. The market is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.
The Islands Mercantile, located at 544 Freshfields Drive on Johns Island, is the place to shop for all things Charleston. They offer infant/toddler, youth and adult apparel, ornaments, toys, hats, souvenirs and gifts.
The Pluff Mud Mercantile offers an eclectic mix of products, including candles, soaps, apparel, household items, home décor, gourmet foods and more. They also offer classes and workshops at the shop at 2408 Ashley River Road in West Ashley.
The Original Pluff Mud Apparel LLC Clothing Store, located at 212 Scalybark Road in Summerville, is where you can find apparel dyed with pluff mud found in and around the marshes in Charleston. Each shirt is individually dyed with this mud, which makes each one unique in color and design.
To find something truly one-of-a-kind, there are no shortage of options in Charleston. Enjoy shopping locally this holiday season!
