58 Best Shopping in Savannah, Georgia

Owner Ruel Joyner has a keen eye for design. His eclectically sophisticated downtown shop is stocked floor to ceiling with luxurious housewares, like velvet sofas, stunning chandeliers, and conversation-starting accessories, from an array of revered design houses. 24e has also made a name for itself with custom-built furniture. Simply perusing the two stories of spectacular specimens is an inspiring way to spend some time—even if the store's big-ticket items are a little out of your price range.

This shop is inside the four-story Noble Hardee Mansion, a gilded Italianate home. You can wander through almost all 12,000 square feet of the former grand residence and see how the landed gentry once lived. The building is a bit musty, with peeling wallpaper and patches of leaky ceiling, showcasing the fading grandeur of pre-restoration Savannah mansions, but the antiques within are in great condition and represent a colorful scrapbook of Savannah's past. They specialize in furniture, rugs, and paintings, but take note of more rare artifacts like tramp-art frames and antique doll furniture. Take in the view of Forsyth Park from one of the upper-level porches.

The building lacks air-conditioning, so avoid the heat of midday or bring along a fan.

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.

This artisanal-leather studio and shop is owned by Elizabeth Seeger Jolly, a New Orleans native and graduate of SCAD. The store specializes in custom leather clutches, handbags, travel bags, and accessories and offers a wide selection of leathers to choose from, including python and alligator. At lower price points are the sharp and handy beverage cozies, cuff bracelets, and wallets.

Ted Dennard's Savannah Bee Company has been featured in such national magazines as O, Vogue, InStyle, and Newsweek, and with good reason—the whimsical shop features locally cultivated honey and bath products that are simply wonderful. You can sample and buy multiple varieties of honey and even raw honeycombs, and there's an entire bar dedicated to mead, a delicate honey wine; enjoy a tasting for a sweet experience. Children enjoy the life-size beehive.

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.

Savannah's "main street" has long served as an indicator of the city's changing economic and demographic trends. The first of Savannah's department stores, Adler's and Levy's, emerged on Broughton, followed by the post-WWII introduction of national chains Sears & Roebuck, JCPenney, and Kress. During the 1950s, ladies donning white gloves and heels did their shopping, while kids gathered at the soda counter or caught the matinee. Downtown's decline began in the late 1950s and continued through the '70s, when boarded-up storefronts were the norm rather than the exception. Today, Broughton is again thriving, not only with local boutiques and world-class shops, but with theaters, restaurants, and coffeehouses.

Venture to this Broughton Street mainstay for women's clothing and footwear that is, as they say, "curated with the Southern eye." You'll find seasonal looks by Michael Stars, BB Dakota, and Citizens of Humanity, as well as shoes and accessories by Rebecca Minkoff, Vince Camuto, and Sam Edelman.

Known for its array of fine antiques shops, galleries, lighting showrooms, and interior design boutiques, the Downtown Design District is worth a visit. Stop in some of Savannah's trendier fashion stores, many of them housed in charming historic storefronts. Nearby are the famed Mercer Williams House and the landmark Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room, known for some of the area's best family-style Southern food. The picturesque surrounding neighborhoods are also enjoyable for a nice afternoon stroll.

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.

Hands down Savannah's best shoe store, Globe has served both well-heeled women and well-soled men since 1892. There's an expansive storefront display, so it's easy to window shop for the perfect pair. It features footwear and accessories by Stuart Weitzman, Donald Pliner, Cole Haan, Sam Edelman, VanElli, Thierry Rabotin, Gentle Souls, and Jeffrey Campbell, to name a few.

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.

With more than 70 vendors under one roof, this shop's sprawling hodgepodge of antique styles has a growing emphasis on the mid-century modern designs of the '50s and '60s. In one booth you'll find funky Lucite chairs and teak sideboards, and in another you'll find slinky costume jewelry and handbags. It is always fun to browse the ever-changing collections, and prices are among the most reasonable you can find in a city known for its antiques.

This is where savvy gentlemen go to suit up. Look for outerwear, sportswear, and dresswear by top men's designers like Filson, Southern Tide, High Cotton, and Mountain Khakis. If you need a seersucker suit on short notice, this is your best bet.