Founded in 1946 and set in an 18th century-era house in Savannah, Georgia, this charming gift shop has been considered the city's premier gift boutique for decades. The shop's success can be largely attributed to the kindhearted staff who go above and beyond making suggestions, wrapping gifts and shipping items. Visitors simply adore browsing the shop's six rooms overflowing with fine china and crystal, home decor, precious baby gifts, linens and unique local art.
You don't have to be an artist to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece at Starlight Pottery, a Midtown Savannah art studio. The concept is simple: choose from a wide selection of unfinished pottery, jot down your desired paint colors and begin painting. Once you're finished, the store will fire and glaze your piece. It typically takes between seven and 10 days to receive your finished work. Prices are all-inclusive and range from $2 for smaller items like letters to $50 for larger, more intricate pieces. If you choose something more elaborate, you can even leave your piece and come back at your convenience to finish. For those more artistically inclined, Starlight offers additional services including canvas painting and clay hand-building.
Local Expert tip: Check out Starlight Pottery's shelf of slightly damaged. You can paint something for next to nothing and often the damage is unnoticeable.
It's Christmas 365 days a year at The Christmas Shop, a Historic District store specializing in ornaments, collectibles, jewelry and more. From hard-to-find ornaments and intricate Santa figurines to adorable embroidered children's clothing and the beloved Elf on the Shelf, you're sure to find the perfect item to get you in the Christmas spirit. The Christmas Shop also pays homage to other holidays throughout the year, with delightful items celebrating Easter, Halloween and St. Patrick's Day. Personal and friendly service, a vast selection and prices for every budget make this Bull Street specialty shop a must-stop destination on your trip to Savannah.
Local Expert tip: After visiting the Christmas Shop, head next door to Saints and Shamrock, a store dedicated to all things Irish.
The Savannah College of Art and Design has not only breathed life into Downtown Savannah, it has also produced some of the most talented artists and designers in the country. ShopSCAD, a retail store operated by the college that features jewelry, décor, paintings, pottery, photography, apparel and other gift items designed by the college's students and alumni, is the perfect way to take a piece of the college home. Several items available at shopSCAD have been featured in prestigious magazines, including Vogue, Lucky and Woman's Day. With brand new items arriving daily, you may want to peek in a few times during your trip.
Local Expert tip: Check out ShopSCAD's Facebook page for photos of the latest merchandise.
A favorite among locals, Sweet Tea Home & Gifts is a charming shop located in the historic neighborhood of Sandfly. The unique gift shop features an array of items for the home, including pillows, vases, lamps, candles, small pieces of furniture, decorative items and artwork. Sweet Tea also boasts a lovely selection of jewelry, apparel, bath and body products, pet accessories, gourmet goodies, cookbooks, tableware, aprons, bags, baby items, holiday decorations and more. In addition, Sweet Tea displays and sells goods from Merry Times, Savannah's premier stationery shop, and Terra Cotta, an apparel and accessory shop in the city's Historic District.
Local Expert tip: After some hardcore shopping, head a few doors down to Sandfly Bar-B-Q and grab lunch.
For the ultimate souvenir to help you remember your visit to Savannah, head to the Savannah Bee Company's flagship store on Broughton Street. Founded in 2000 by Georgia native and beekeeper Ted Denard, the Savannah Bee Company has become one of the most popular manufacturers of honey-related products in the nation. The Broughton Street store features a nice assortment of the company's honeys, including tupelo, wildflower, orange blossom and other pure specialty honeys. Customers may sample each variety while browsing the store's impressive selection of bottled honeys. The store also features products such as lip balms, hand creams and soaps, along with honey-sweetened beverages, gift items and more. A full theater shows educational videos of bees and bee keeping, while a children's area—shaped like an actual honeycomb—gives kids a chance to let loose while parents shop.
Local Expert tip: If you can't make it to the flagship store on Broughton Street, then check out the Savannah Bee Company's River Street store, located on the ground level of the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
