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.
For a guide to shopping in Charleston, click here.
In the heart of Charleston's historic gallery district, on King Street, Sprock represents original artwork of American and Russian artists, with primarily figurative or landscape paintings and photography. A private dealer and consultant for many years, her gallery brings artists from around the globe adding international flair to Charleston's traditional art scene.
At Ben Silver we like to say that "Classic Style has always been our business". This season we have put together a wardrobe for gentlemen and women who understand quality in materials and workmanship and who appreciate the classic styling to which we have always remained true. When unable to visit us, please browse our site or call us for our catalog: 1-800-221-4671. Haute couture to casual wear.
Berlin's is a Charleston original. Four generations in the clothing business and 117 years at the same address. No wonder we're known as the store that made King & Broad famous. So don't look for Berlin's in a mall. We don't fit anybody's cookie cutter mold. Specializing in custom tailored clothing for men. Tuxedo rentals for weddings and special occassions.
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.
In the heart of Charleston's historic gallery district, on King Street, Sprock represents original artwork of American and Russian artists, with primarily figurative or landscape paintings and photography. A private dealer and consultant for many years, her gallery brings artists from around the globe adding international flair to Charleston's traditional art scene. 
At Ben Silver we like to say that "Classic Style has always been our business". This season we have put together a wardrobe for gentlemen and women who understand quality in materials and workmanship and who appreciate the classic styling to which we have always remained true. When unable to visit us, please browse our site or call us for our catalog: 1-800-221-4671. Haute couture to casual wear. 
Berlin's is a Charleston original. Four generations in the clothing business and 117 years at the same address. No wonder we're known as the store that made King & Broad famous. So don't look for Berlin's in a mall. We don't fit anybody's cookie cutter mold. Specializing in custom tailored clothing for men. Tuxedo rentals for weddings and special occassions.
