King Street is a shopper's fantasy come to life. Imagine it, a shopping street nearly 20 blocks long, adorned with palmetto trees, charming architecture, inns, cafes, and extraordinary shops. But don’t take my word for it. An urban retail consultant who in 2003 presented the city of Charleston with a 10-year plan to improve its central business district recently returned to check on the city’s progress.

Guess what? – He liked what he saw.

Cleaner sidewalks, less graffiti, well-lit parking garages and blocks of new streetscape were positive signs for Robert Gibbs, a specialist in the urban retail component and president of Gibbs Planning Group of Birmingham, MI. Gibbs said that in less than five years, 70% to 80% of his plan has been implemented.

Gibbs now ranks Charleston’s central business district among some of the most high-profile shopping districts in the nation, including Beverly Hills, CA, Naples, FL, and West Palm Beach, FL.

“It’s easily among the top five in the country,” Gibbs said of the downtown area. “It was just sort of average before, and now it’s much better.”

One of the primary issues Gibbs had with the area initially was that the downtown needed more retail anchors. Gibbs mentioned the opening of Joseph A. Banks, Brooks Brothers, Pottery Barn, Waterworks and a Ralph Lauren Polo store as examples that the city can successfully attract strong national retailers.

“It’s unheard of for Brooks Brothers to open a store in a city center, because they get really great offers from malls,” Gibbs said. “I think it’s a real credit to the downtown.”

At the same time, Gibbs said his plan recommends that the city retain the type of retailers that make it unique, such as antiques shops and galleries on King Street and in the French Quarter.

Sharon Brennan, the city’s director of economic development, said 85% of stores on King Street are locally owned. King Street is the heart of the city’s central business district, which extends east to Meeting Street, west to St. Phillip Street, south to Broad Street and north to Line Street.

“We want to be sure to maintain a healthy mix of national vs. local and regional businesses and we want to be sure to have businesses on the street that appeal to not only the tourists but the residential base that we have here,” Brennan said.

Gibbs also likes what he sees on upper King Street, which he feels has been emerging into a distinctive neighborhood geared to locals. The city recently completed a streetscape project, which improved parking, landscaping, sidewalks and other elements of the area from Calhoun Street north to Carolina Street.

“We were hoping the city could continue the streetscape of upper King,” Gibbs said. “At the time of our survey, we felt that upper King was emerging as South Carolina’s Soho district, with a collection of one-of-a-kind restaurants and home design stores that mostly appeal to residents of the region. I can personally attest to the areas appeal. With wonderful new shops such as Waterworks, Dwell, Luan and Circa Lighting I love going there to find unique home furnishings. Some of my favorite restaurants are on upper King as well. The Charleston Visitor Center (375 Meeting St.) is a great place to rest, and take the trolley back to your hotel - or, perhaps, on to more shopping.

Finally, the city needs to attract at least one major department store, Gibbs said. He believes such retailers already have their eyes on Charleston. Can anyone say Nordstrom! It’s true, if I had to narrow it down to one thing that is wanting in the shopping scene here, it would have to be the lack of an upscale department store. As it stands I have to drive to Charlotte, NC to find one. Lately I’ve been hearing some rather loud rumblings about them coming into the area so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

From what Gibbs says our demographics strongly support another two or three department store chains in another two years. “Having a full fashion department store would probably increase sales 15 to 20 percent across the board downtown. In some cities, I’ve seen it increase sales 30 percent,” says Gibbs.

My advice is arm yourself with good walking shoes, several unhurried hours and, as they say, bring your VISA, because you’re sure to discover armloads of items that you simply must have. Happy Shopping!

Here are just a few of my favorites:

Home Furnishings

Dwelling
474 King Street
(843) 723-9699

ESD 314 King Street
(843) 577-6272
http://www.esdcharleston.com/

Clothing / Shoes

Luna
334 King Street
(843) 853-5862

V2V
295 King Street
(843) 723-5155

Moo Roo Handbags
316 King Street
(843) 724-1081

Copper Penny
311 King Street
(843) 723-2999

Oscar Thompson
322 King Street
(843) 552-4601

Susan Michelle
338 King Street
(843) 722-4612