Charleston is a shopper’s dream destination, whether you’re hunting for fine antiques, flouncy frocks, snappy suits or one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. I always try to bring home something that feels unique to the place I’ve visited, and here, the wonderful handmade Gullah sweetgrass creations are the obvious choice. But since we’ve already purchased a few, I wanted to investigate beyond the baskets.

A well-traveled friend proclaimed Charleston one of her favorite shopping cities and suggested a few of her favorite stores. So we laced up our walking shoes and strolled the heart of King Street, from Broad to Calhoun. Although the antique shops here look gorgeous, I tend to make actual purchases at boutiques focusing on clothing, jewelry and accessories. These are the gems that stood out (listed by address, from south to north).

Berlin’s

The vintage sign on the corner of King and Broad streets was enough to draw me into this iconic department store, and going inside felt like a step back in time. Founded in 1883 by Eastern European immigrant Henry Berlinsky, who arrived in the United States with less than $2 to his name, Berlin’s began as a purveyor of menswear and formal attire. Its men’s clothing selection focuses on classically stylish items to this day, and Berlin’s for Women, attached to the main store, offers equally timeless pieces. This old-fashioned place remains a cherished slice of historic Charleston, full of investment-worthy apparel.