While we all love a trip to the mall, it’s also really nice to be able to hit the local boutiques to find the perfect dress for date night or the perfect gift for the gal who has everything. It’s been a weird stretch here in the Queen City lately with several favorites relocating and a few boutiques closing altogether. So we checked in with some of the most buzzed-about shops to give you an up-to-date rundown on some of Charlotte’s best boutiques. SB TIP: Watch for the twice-yearly boutique roundup where several of the boutiques get together for a pop-up sale offering fabulous items at amazing prices. Usually held in the summer and around the holidays, check individual boutique websites for dates and location.
Firefly Boutique
10012 Benfield Road, #303, Charlotte, NC 28269 • (704) 464-1474
Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
One of Charlotte’s newer boutiques, Firefly has been around for about a year and a half and caters to women of all ages, shapes and sizes with accessories to finish the outfit. They sell a lot of rompers, dresses, jewelry and candles (from local vendors) but are known mostly for their affordable offerings and selection of sizes – they are the rare boutique that carries stylish plus size options.
KK Bloom
2823 Selwyn Ave., Ste. E, Charlotte, NC 28209 • (704) 919-1142
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This popular Myers Park boutique has rack after rack of the latest styles (all the cutest dresses and rompers), a huge selection of jewelry and fun accessories. Open since 2010 there is always a fun pop of color, a mix of classics and trendy pieces. Perfect for finding a date night outfit, something for a baby shower or Sunday brunch, you can find designers like Kendra Scott, 7 For All Mankind, Ali&Jay, ASTR, BB Dakota, Bishop + Young, Cupcakes and Cashmere, Free People, Show Me Your Mumu, Wildfox and more.
Green With Envy
1111 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204 • (704) 344-8774
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This is the place to go if you need a fun birthday or hostess gift, a cool purse for yourself or something to liven up a bachelorette party. They also have some carefully curated clothing and hard to find high-end bags. Green With Envy started in Davidson but has been in their Plaza Midwood location for 15 years. Run by two sisters and a friend, the 4,000-square-foot space’s owner Tina Nardoci says, “We have a collection of absolutely nothing you need, but everything you want to make life fun! We have over 60 different local artists and artisans, and we have so many things Charlotte- and neighborhood-related. We have three large, incredible soy candle lines. One local, Ella B, that matches 28 different neighborhoods that surround us.”
Revolution
227 E. Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203 • (704) 971-1990
Hours:Â Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
This fun and funky Dilworth boutique offers trendy clothing for men and women and lots of items from local artisans – but the real win here is the gift selection. Some stuff is raunchy, some stuff is laugh-out-loud funny, but these are things you won’t find anywhere else in the city. So if you’re shopping for the girl or guy who has everything – including a sense of humor – this is the place to go.
RELATED: Check Out Dilworth’s Storey Home
Lipp Boutique
813 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207 • (980) 237-9415
Hours:Â Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Lipp Boutique was actually one of the first stores to open in the now bustling Metropolitan shopping center just outside of Uptown. It was 2012, and the owner, a Chicago transplant, was frustrated after not being able to find the designers she wanted elsewhere in town. She moved Lipp from mid-town to Myers Park this year and sees even more traffic in her new home. Popular with young professionals and fashionistas, Lipp Boutique offers fresh and trendy pieces as well as some classics – including some of our favorite brands – Hudson Jeans, Z Supply, Tolani, and Lovers and Friends.
Charlotte’s
901 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207 • (980) 299-7162
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Charlotte’s started in Raleigh about 27 years ago, and it’s actually named for the original owner – not the Queen City. The Charlotte location actually just opened about three years ago. Considered a one-stop shop where you can get something for everyone on your list, they sell fine and fashion jewelry, ladies’ clothing and shoes, men’s gifts, baby apparel and accessories, gifts and home accessories, and the owners say you can find new items on the shelves every week.
Monkee’s of Lake Norman
605 Jetton St., Ste. A, Davidson, NC 28036 • 704-896-7779
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
After 10 years in one location, Monkee’s owner Sandy Bowers recently moved this popular boutique just down the street so that she could double the size of the store. “Kind of like my skinny jeans after Thanksgiving dinner, our quarters were a little too tight – we needed to size up,” says owner Sandy Bowers. This version of the iconic Monkee’s boutique sells Tory Burch, Milly, Sundry, Golden Goose Deluxe Brand Sneakers and Loeffler Randall shoes – all of which fly out the doors. The denim collection is also spot-on as it now includes lines that are hard to locate and in high demand including brands like GRLFD, Moussy, AMO, FRAME, Mother and Citizens of Humanity.
Traveling Chic Boutique
2906 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte, NC 28209 • (704) 650-8464
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Traveling Chic Boutique has nine different locations across the country and opened their first in Charlotte in Myers Park three years ago. A small franchise, the Charlotte owners also own the Hilton Head Island location. This trendy, but affordable shop is popular with everyone from undergrads to soccer moms and has a little something for girls of all ages. Among their bestsellers: THML, Laju, She + Sky and Olive and Oak. The owners pride themselves on swapping out the shelves regularly saying, “at least half our inventory is new from week to week and items are only carried once.” SB TIP: The store hosts a Shop For A Cause each month where 10 percent of sales that day go to a local charity.
RELATED: Charlotte’s Oldest Gift Shop Has a New Owner
Happy shopping!
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