Charleston has the moxie to attract high profile stores like Gucci at one end of the spectrum and H&M at the other. We have a number of originals like Carolina on King, House of Sage and Campo Marzio’s first U.S. store. Cos Bar followed a trail of chic locations like Aspen, Carmel and Santa Fe to come here. Alex and Ani, C. Wonder, Kate Spade and L’Occitane all recently found their way to our small but delightful shopping city. Coming soon: Tees by Tina, whose No. 2 store will be at 278 King Street. Store No. 1 is on Martha’s Vineyard.
A young company, Tees by Tina already has products in over 1200 stores and boutiques --Nordstrom, Von Maur, Resort Shops at Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton to name a few. They make seamless, knit, and--incredibly--one-size-fits-most pieces that fall into the diverse categories of intimates, maternity, active wear, shape wear, business and casual wear. There are dresses, tanks, shirts, skirts and pants, all made in the U.S., all at very nice price points. Tina is quite the rage in fashion magazines, where celebrities wearing Tees by Tina abound, especially pregnant ones. Look forward to Tina’s opening in the next 30-60 days.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams made their Charleston debut at 2nd Sunday on King Street, and rumor has it they will be there this month too. The real news is their new Upper King Street shop, where you’ll be able to enjoy the much-lauded sweet stuff every day.
The Swamp Fox in the Francis Marion Hotel makes news with new chef Phil Gaulin. He recently came from a sister property, the historic and beautiful Middlebury Inn in Vermont where he was Executive Chef. No Yankee here, Phil is a SC native who graduated from Johnson & Wales University and worked at Kiawah Island Resort for a number of years. He quietly made an appearance at the last 2nd Sunday on King Street, where 200 servings of his strawberry shortcake with basil disappeared in minutes. Can’t wait to see his new Spring menu, as well as his take on the Swamp Fox’s famous Farmers Market Dinner.
The eclectic and wonderful Art Mecca of Charleston at 427 King Street will hold their first charity event, a live auction to benefit Doors to Freedom, an organization established to provide safe harbor transformation for survivors of human trafficking. The event will be held at the third Friday King Street Shop and Stroll, 5:00-8:00 PM May 16.
Talented floral designer Anna Glac will host a grand opening reception at Anna Bella Florals, 217 Calhoun Street Saturday, May 3 from noon to 4:00 PM. There will be refreshments, a flower arranging presentation, prizes and promotional offers. Glac is known for grand florals at Kiawah Sanctuary, the Francis Marion Hotel and other Charleston businesses. With her hew shop, Anna’s lovely and unique arrangements will now be available to the public for bridal, special occasions, residential and business décor.
If you’re seeing this before May 1, you may not be too late for the best street party in town after 2nd Sunday. Gibbes on the Street, East Meets West is inspired by the Spice Route and will feature food by Halls Chophouse Chef Matthew Niessner, the Macintosh’s Jeremiah Bacon, The Grocery’s Kevin Johnson and too many others to name. If you missed it, best get on their mailing list right now. Those art lovers put on some crazy events.