Shopping
The late Malcolm Forbes once said of shopping, “It is more fun to get than to receive,” and that saying holds true if you’re rambling around in Savannah. So with that being said, clinch your environmentally friendly tote and hit the streets of Savannah!
Shopping in Savannah can be a joy or a disappointment depending on where you’re from. If you’ve traveled here from New York, L.A., Atlanta, or Charlotte, stay within the realms of historic downtown where you’ll find many one-of-a-kind shops and boutiques. The malls here may not be worth your while. If you’re from a small town, start downtown and then, head to one of Savannah’s two malls (on the south side of town).
Savannah is the regional shopping center for a large chunk of southeast Georgia; many people (outside of Brunswick, that is) consider it the only real metropolitan area until you get to Jacksonville, Florida (two-and-a-half hours down I-95) or in-state to Macon (three hours west on I-16).
With all this retail territory to cover, it stands to reason we had to be selective about what is included in this chapter. We’d like to share with you the rhyme and reason of what was left in and what was left out. First of all, we chose not to provide a comprehensive list of grocery stores, shoe shops, and chain stores that are in every town (i.e., Wal-Mart). Your hotel concierge or bed-and-breakfast host can point you in the right direction if you need one.
Instead, we’ve tried to concentrate on the needs of recreational shoppers while still steering the retail-impaired to the places where travelers are most likely to get the things they need. We’ve included shops that stock items of local or regional interest. Then, we’ve added places that I consider unusual or interesting. Next, we’ve included some of the places that we like to browse and buy for ourselves. One note: As you’re searching Savannah’s shops for the perfect item to take home, don’t forget about the dog sitter!
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Shopping
Address: 7804 Abercorn St.
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Shopping
Address: 14045 Abercorn St.
3. Habersham Shopping Center
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Shopping
Description: This small strip shopping center runs along both sides of Habersham Street, from just after its intersection with 60th Street to 63rd Street. It appears modest at first glance—a small grocery store, a pharmacy, a dry cleaner, and other businesses clearly set up to serve the surrounding established neighborhoods—but look closer and you’ll find some interesting specialty shops. They include Punch and Judy, a children’s store, and Merry Times, a card and gift shop. Other entries include Rum Runner’s Bakery, and some nifty restaurants such as a Clary’s, a sister to the downtown Clary’s and Bella’s, a small Italian bistro.
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Shopping
Address: 8108 Abercorn Extension
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Shopping
6. Abercorn Antique Village
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (912) 233-0064
Address: 201 East 37th St.
Description: This rambling yellow Victorian home houses collections from more than 50 dealers. Look for French country furniture, statuary, oil paintings, crystal, jewelry, and so on. This is a good browsing location with a wide price range—stuff for the serious collector and less-pricey offerings as well. Lately, this veteran store has taken on a more design-oriented feel. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mon through Sat, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun.
7. The Attic
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (912) 236-4879
Address: 224 West Bay St.
Description: Looking for antique fishing lures? Good examples can fetch $65 and up, and you’ll find them among some of the other sports antiques here, along with fencing masks and old skis. It’s an eclectic stock of mainly American antiques and collectibles—furniture, jewelry, glassware. It’s not what you would call high end, but it’s fun. The location itself is of interest to fans of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, since it was the location of the financially ill-fated Emma’s, a piano bar that is featured in that best seller. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon through Sat.
8. Cobb’S Galleries Inc.
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (912) 234-1582
Address: 122 East 37th St.
Description: This popular antiques shop keeps outgrowing its quarters. It is now located in a Victorian mansion at the corner of 37th and Abercorn Streets, the allegedly haunted Krouskoff House. That’s appropriate, because owner Al Cobb wrote a book, “Danny’s Bed,” about a haunted bed that wreaked havoc in his household; you can buy a copy in the shop. Most of the stock is more conventional: an extensive collection of art pottery, about a thousand cookbooks, sports memorabilia, collectible liquor decanters, what have you. What’s surprising about this shop is the sheer volume. Hours are Mon through Sat, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
9. Habersham Antiques & Collectibles Market
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (912) 238-5908
Address: 2502 Habersham St.
Description: What was once a Savannah grocery store now holds a collection of some 70 antiques dealers who fill their booth space where Savannah’s Ardsley Park matrons once bought canned goods and prime cuts of meat. The expansive building now holds old books, glassware, some antiques, and even vintage clothing. It’s a great place to spend a rainy afternoon. Once a year, the enterprise expands, spreading to the neighboring parking lot with a spring festival that brings other vendors in booths. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sat.
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Shopping
Address: 916 East 72nd St.
11. Savannah Galleries
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (912) 232-1234
Address: 30 East Bryan St.
Description: Native Savannahians own this gallery—in operation since the 1960s—where you’ll discover more than 10,000 square feet of high-end antique English, French, and American furniture, silver, porcelain, and Oriental rugs. Pieces range from elegant marquetry to rustic painted pine accents. The staff is friendly and will assist you in finding and building antique collections. They’ll also clean, repair, and appraise your antique and modern Oriental rugs. Hours vary.
12. The Book Lady
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (912) 233-3628
Address: 6 East Liberty St.
Description: Used and rare books are what you will find at the Book Lady, a quaint bookstore ideal for browsing. Besides art, architecture, religion, fiction, and the usual fare, you will also find sections called Pretty Books and Nice Old Books among the lot. There are also several local titles on Savannah and the area. For that hard-to-find book, the store offers a search service. Hours are Mon through Sat, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
13. E. Shaver Bookseller
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (912) 234-7257
Address: 326 Bull St.
Description: Book lovers will delight in this independent bookstore, which occupies the ground floor of a Historic District home. The shop has become a fixture for both downtown residents and tourists. An impressive array of hardcover and paperback books is available, and the knowledgeable staff offers solid advice. Local titles are well represented. The shop also offers an efficient book search service for older titles. A whole room is devoted to children’s titles. Limited gift offerings include museum-style note cards, tote bags, and appointment calendars. This is what bookstores were before there were megachains. Hours are Mon through Sat, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Shopping
Address: 228 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
15. River Street Sweets
City: Savannah, GA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (912) 234-4608
Address: 13 East River St.
Description: Savannah’s oldest candy store, established in 1973, is located on the historic Savannah riverfront. Pralines are made right here, in full view, and there’s usually someone near the door to offer you a sample. Display cases showcase other store specialties: confections of chocolate and nuts, spiced pecans, divinity, etc. There’s a wide array of gift baskets and special packaging and an efficient shipping service. Hours are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.