8 Best Shopping in Savannah, Georgia

Opened in 2014 by longtime Savannah residents Leslie Lovell and Francis Allen, Roots Up is a testament to the charm and mystique of Southern folk art. Located in the heart of the Downtown Design District, Roots Up is home to such artists as Howard Finster, Willie Tarver, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Antonio Esteves, Mr. Imagination, and local folk art notable Panhandle Slim. The collection includes everything from handmade dolls to vintage pieces.

Inside historic Poetter Hall, the Savannah College of Art and Design's shop is filled with handcrafted items guaranteed to be one of a kind. Handmade and hand-dyed silk accessories are cutting-edge, as are original fashion pieces and experimental purses by design students. Just remember that these originals are often one of a kind and do not come cheap.

Renowned local artist Tiffani Taylor's textured paintings are romantic yet bold, influenced by nature and her extensive travels. Her work has been exhibited in the Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, and her clients include Oprah Winfrey and Diane von Furstenberg. In addition to her paintings, Taylor's original pottery and stationery make great gifts.

Gallery Espresso has a new show every couple of weeks focusing on work by local artists. Pastries, cheesecakes, muffins, scones, and luscious desserts are house-made and complement the heavy dose of caffeine and art.

Neatly tucked inside the Mansion on Forsyth Park, this gallery showcases hotelier and native Georgian Richard Kessler's expansive collection. You'll find more than 400 works by acclaimed local, national, and international artists, including contemporary paintings, blown glass, whimsical sculptures, and innovative jewelry.

Between the bustling hubs of Broughton Street and City Market sits the city's foremost cooperative art gallery. Near Ellis Square, the tasteful space is teeming with fine art across countless mediums. Noteworthy are industrial-style jewelry by Danielle Hughes Rose, the colorful landscapes of Dana Richardson, and Dicky Stone's intricate woodworking.

Ray Ellis Gallery/Compass Prints sells original artwork, prints, and books by acclaimed landscape artist Ray Ellis, whose art is included in permanent collections of the White House and exhibited in the U.S. embassies in Geneva, Vienna, and London.

Half gallery, half tattoo studio, the Butcher is a true original. Its rotating exhibitions feature younger, more contemporary artists. The staff is hip, friendly, and knowledgeable, and the space is a modern twist on a vintage storefront.