Tuesday, June 28, 2011

What's your favorite local shop in Charlotte?

A unique boutique, a cool interior design shop, a fun consignment store - what's your favorite locally-owned place to shop in and around Charlotte?

I'm getting together a list of such places for our annual "Living Here" supplement magazine, and I'd love to get the best shops around. Since I assume there are plenty of people out there who go shopping more often than me, I'm rounding up reader suggestions (the pros call this "crowdsourcing," which I think sounds like a medical procedure).

So, leave a comment with your suggestion and why you picked that shop. Or feel free to send me an email at elyportillo@charlotteobserver.com or call me at 704-358-5041. Thanks for the help!

87 comments:

Anonymous said...

I always like The Paper Skyscraper in Dilworth. Haven't been to Charlotte recently... but I hope it is still there.

Anonymous said...

Blackhawk Hardware @ Park Road Shopping Center

Metro for Modern on Morehead Street across from Covenant Presbyterian

Paper Skyscraper on East Blvd.

Anonymous said...

Green With Envy (Plaza Midwood)

Anonymous said...

Lark & Key Gallery in Southend!!

Anonymous said...

Paper Skyscraper is the BEST STORE EVER!!

Anonymous said...

Lax Zone in Pineville! Charlotte's best lacrosse shop!

Anonymous said...

Paper Skyscraper! Love it.

Anonymous said...

Lark and Key for art/gifts, Poole Shop for clothes.

Anonymous said...

Green with Envy in Plaza Midwood; Sleep Poet on South Blvd; Common Market in Plaza Midwood;

Anonymous said...

Cottage Chic! They have a little of everything: gifts, jewelry, clothes,bath and body goodies, etc.

Anonymous said...

Eliza B's at the Arboretum...cute store for the stylish woman

Anonymous said...

I agree with the earlier post..Eliza B's...great gifts and they do monogramming too.

Anonymous said...

Bicycle Sport!

Anonymous said...

Eliza B's at the Arboretum, I needed a graduation gift quickly and they monogrammed and wrapped it too.

Anonymous said...

Paper Skyscraper! Hands down the best shop in CLT!

Anonymous said...

I agree with Cottage Chic (in Dilworth). So cute!

Anonymous said...

GOP (Great Outdoor Provision Co) at Park Road Shopping Center!

Anonymous said...

Paper Skyskraper, Buffalo Exchange on Central Ave, Junior League Warehouse on Pecan, love love love!

Anonymous said...

Habitat Re-Store on Wendover.

Anonymous said...

I.C. London

Anonymous said...

Park Road Books in Park Rd. Shopping Center. Best recommendations on what to read.

Anonymous said...

For music, I love Lunchbox Records on Central.

Anonymous said...

Park Rd Books, Renfrow's Hardware, Sleepy Poet

Anonymous said...

Best Buy for electronics.
The Home Depot for Lawn/Garden.
The Gap for clothes.
Dick's Sporting goods for athletics.

Wait, you mean Charlotte actually has stores that aren't chains/big box?

Anonymous said...

The Adult Superstore on Wilkinson is great! Love love love!

Anonymous said...

Rat's Nest is the coolest! Mr Wilson offers vintage beyond vintage. This is the real deal and he is a REAL person. Not some poser or false store front with corporate backing. Check out his store on 36th off North Davidson near the Evening Muse and buy SOMETHING! Support the independent retailer. Rat's Nest shopping is a fun experience. Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Nona's bakery in the university area and Amelie's French Bakery in NoDa. Yes, they're bakeries, but they're more than that. They operate as boutiques. It's rare these days to find excellent baked goods, made by hand on site, and a treasure to find "boutiques" like these. They offer very different ambience from one another, but both offer excellenct experiences.

Anonymous said...

Niche and Blacksheep, both on Camden Rd

Anonymous said...

GNC Live Well@Davidson, NC. off I-77 North Exit 30. Great customer service, very knowledgeable sales associates and the female manager will charm you with her strong accent, but has a genuine concern for your health. Thank you!

Susan said...

Blackhawk Hardware and Park Road Books - Park Road Shopping Center

Canine Cafe - South End

Paper Skyscraper - Dilworth

Anonymous said...

Pura Vida in NODA

Anonymous said...

A Denim Affair in Blakeney Village. My husband and me love their jeans and staff!

Anonymous said...

cottage chic on east blvd is by far the best store ever! a little bit of everything and the absolute most helpful and kind staff. COTTAGE CHIC!!

Anonymous said...

Earth Angel on Independence. They have awesome swimsuits and shoes!!!

Anonymous said...

Sleepy Poet!!!

Anonymous said...

Taylor richards & Conger...great men's store in Phillips Place

Anonymous said...

Recycle Boutique in Park Road shopping center. Some great finds as far as clothing and home furnishings and a great line of shoes designed by the owner. It is a must if you are a consignment shopper!

Anonymous said...

Holiday Haus - Matthews
Flapdoodle Auctions - Matthews

Anonymous said...

I didn't read any exclusions on food stores so for me it's Pasta & Provisions on Providence

Anonymous said...

The Executive Inn in Rock Hill. Entertainment value way better than South Park stores.

Anonymous said...

Old Timers in Matthews.

Anonymous said...

Poppies in Birkdale Village- great for unique gifts, monogramming and they are a locally owned and operated business. Love them!

Anonymous said...

The Map Shop - if you love to travel like I do! They have WAY more than just maps.

Anonymous said...

In the spring - Rountree Plantation Garden Center

At Christmastime - Peppermint Forest by the mall in Pineville

Anonymous said...

Pura Vida, Paper Skyscraper, Park Road Books, Blackhawk Hardware, Saurez Bakery (pre-Tizzerts), and Amelie's

Anonymous said...

Gentlemans club......Yum!

Anonymous said...

Heroes Aren't Hard to Find on 7th St. in Elizabeth...the best comic book store in the nation, right here in Charlotte! And the organizers of HeroesCon, which brings in tourism dollars every year!

Anonymous said...

3:08:

You think you're really clever and-oh-so-chic, don't you?

In reality, you're just another lame suburbanite who schlepped in here from nowhere.

Anonymous said...

Monkee's of Lake Norman- fabulous Women's shoes and clothes...variety of prices and merchandise... incomparable service. My daughter and mother shop there...Love Monkee's of Lake Norman!

Anonymous said...

Pura Vida, NODA

Anonymous said...

We live in Indian Trail and LOVE Candles and Stuff on Idlewild in the Lowes Shopping Center near the intersection of 485 and Idlewild. Melody is a sweetheart and has so many fun and eclectic gift ideas at reasonable prices. From Cameleon jewelry, to handbags, scented candles, hand painted wine glasses for Wedding gifts and Birthdays, energy bracelets, hand made note cards and jewelery as well. She has had Breast Cancer displays, wine and cheese shows and meet and greets. Wonderful neighborhood place to gather and share the gossip as well. EVERYTHING anyone could want and nice that the owner is onsite versus the local Hallmark chain. Enjoy!http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/candlesandgiftsinc

Anonymous said...

I.C. London... wonderful and so helpful

Anonymous said...

I don't get the Paper Skyscraper - a strange place?!
Yes for Sleepy Poet

Anonymous said...

I like Denim Affair too. Especially the jeans skirt I bought yesterday that doesn't make this 38 yr old look like I'm trying to hard!

Anonymous said...

Well day-um....Can't believe that VisArt has been mentioned yet. The best selection combined with the most eclectic and intelligent employees anywhere!!!!

Anonymous said...

IC London- great service, staff and variety. Lots of hard to find sizes.

Anonymous said...

CUSTOM jewelry, Pura Vida and Espada Bicycles in NoDa, Bedford Falls for toys and Park Rd. books - go local!

John said...

I like Wild Birds Unlimited in the Galleria(Wal Mart) shopping center off Sardis Road North. Great birding supplies and fun things for the yard. Great friendly staff.

Jessica said...

* Paper Skyscraper; unique gifts/cards.
* Park Road Books; Charlotte is severely lacking book stores and it's great that such a wonderful independent store is an option.
* Dilworth Coffee (Quail Corners); the owner and staff have always given me great service and remembered my name and order after only my second visit!

Anonymous said...

The Bag Lady is my favorite! It's a local book and gift shop that focuses on the wants/needs of women. They also run like a community center with workshops, readers, and local author/book signing events. I love shopping local and The Bag Lady is one I've been supporting for over a decade!

Anonymous said...

I love Bubba's Bait and Jewelry store in Rock Hill.

Elizabeth said...

I'll be checking out Sleepy Poet cause of the recommendations here but I like Consignment 1st on Independence and 485 for furnishings and furniture - best store of the chain.
Buffalo Exchange for clothes.

Anonymous said...

Paper Skyscraper all the way!! Both whimsical and beautiful gifts, amazing sales staff. Love, love, love the Scraper!

Anonymous said...

Salutations in Ballantyne

Anonymous said...

DEFINITELY Amelie's in NoDa.

Anonymous said...

SLATE ON CENTRAL!!!!

Anonymous said...

Toys & Co. -- Cotswold

Anonymous said...

Woody's Music Rock Hill is nice
one of the worst hands down Comunity Thrift store on Wilkinson donated items jacked up to some of the most bizzare high prices you will ever see!

Anonymous said...

Elder Gallery in SouthEnd is a real jewel for the Charlotte art scene. Great art plus a fun environment.

Anonymous said...

Robyn's Fabrics in Pineville, a gem of a design store.

Anonymous said...

The Book Lady, Highway 74 in Monroe.

Anonymous said...

Love Sleepy Poets. What a place to find anything! And the staff is amazing. Also Cottage Chic on East Blvd. The best selection of everything...clothes, jewelry, bedding, baby, bath and body, handbags and so much more.

I've been to Paper Skyscraper so many times. I agree neat store with interesting stuff but I have never, EVER been greeted or helped by the staff. Ever, stopped going back...

Anonymous said...

Great new consignment shop on East Blvd called Monarch. They carry designer clothes at a fraction of the original costs. This is more like a boutique not your typical consignment shop. Stephanie, one of the owners, is so helpful!

Anonymous said...

Recently found the Sleepy Poet shop and have gone back four times already! Love that place!

Anonymous said...

The Time Machine Antique Marketplace in Matthews...great prices I have found anywhere and they are open 6 days a week. My husband and I have just bought a dresser there for next to nothing !!!

Anonymous said...

No one has said it yet, but I'm going with Book Buyers in Plaza-Midwood. The folks there are friendly, and it's a great place to pick up used books. I always enjoy going there.

Anonymous said...

Eliza B's at the Arboretum is a great shop full of gifts for everyone!! SUCH cute baby gifts that are even better monogrammed, which they do there!

Anonymous said...

Agreed - Eliza B's at the Arboretum. Always so helpful.

Anonymous said...

City Supply on Thomas St- Great custom furniture, cool gifts and candles, and beautiful art!

Anonymous said...

Don't forget Art Aspects on Sharon Amity!

Anonymous said...

It’s Your Home at Northlake Mall, the staff is great, very pleasant atmosphere. They have a little of everything for your home. I notice the store when I was at the mall two weeks ago. I wasn’t going to buy anything, but couldn’t resist. They have a great selection of ready made drapery that come in longer lengths which I had been looking for.

Anonymous said...

Custom. Great little jewelry retailer and custom designer in NoDa. Very helpfull and say hello to their dog Bruce.

Anonymous said...

Eliza B's..they gave me lot's of
help picking out some great gifts
for my friends and gifts for my
kids teachers.

Anonymous said...

It's Your Home at Northlake Mall gets my vote for favorite locally owned place to shop.

Anonymous said...

Surroundings on Carmel Road. Fabulous shop with lots of different things at great prices. Very helpful staff.

Anonymous said...

City Supply Co. In Plaza Midwood. Great selection of furniture, and great candles. I also love Clearing House Consignments on central, and Luxe on East Blvd.

Anonymous said...

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