Shopping Overview

Charlotte is the largest retail center in the Carolinas. The majority of stores are in suburban malls, and villages and towns in outlying areas have regional specialties. Many of the Uptown shops, which can be found in the Overstreet Mall connected by a set of skywalks, are open Monday through Saturday 10 to 5:30. Most malls are open Monday through Saturday 10 to 9 and Sunday 1 to 6. Sales tax is 6%.

The towns of Waxhaw, Pineville, and Matthews are the best places to find antiques. Waxhaw sponsors an annual antiques fair each February. Shops are usually open from Monday through Saturday in Pineville and Matthews. In Waxhaw, some shops are open on Sunday but closed on Monday.

A number of shows, including the Carolina Craft Shows, held in fall and spring at the convention center, as well as the Southern Christmas Show and the Southern Spring Show at the Merchandise Mart, showcase a wide variety of crafts items.