Preservation Society of Charleston

Preservation Society of Charleston — Shop Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"Let’s start with scale. Boutique or department store? Think of it as a souvenir shop with taste and soul. Every item they source is locally made, with the exception of books that may have been published elsewhere, and pecans from a farm two hours north. The independent boutique was founded by and is still run by one of Charleston’s prominent preservation groups, hence the name. Store proceeds benefit the society. For those of you who haven’t visited the shop in years, it bears noting that staffing is no longer on a volunteer basis by sweet, grey-haired ladies. The store is revamped, fresh, competitive, and relevant— a great outlet for Charleston’s many talented artisans, and an excellent spot for gifts and souvenirs. What can we find here, or what should we look for? The southern and regional cookbook collection here is amazing, including the latest from local chefs. There are small-batch Grenadines, tonics, and bitters made by Jack Rudy Cocktail Co., plus sea salts produced a short drive up the coast. Hand-stitched, durable, unisex totes and leather wallets by J. Stark sit alongside one-of-a-kind handbags made with upholstery and leather by Add Libb. Old Whaling Co. makes natural “body butters” and soaps in subtle perfumes of French lavender or bergamot and grapefruit. In the corner is a great collection of historic Charleston maps printed on archival paper, adjacent to a rustic set of crackled ceramic bowls and trays. Petite seersucker-style reversible handbags feature circular grabs fashioned by local sweetgrass basket weavers. If money’s no object, what goes in the cart? Some larger, more ornate and time-consuming sweetgrass baskets in the store’s back room sell for upwards of $1,750, and your heart is in the right place if you choose to make that splurge, because you would be supporting an invaluable Gullah tradition passed down from generation to generation since slavery. The store carries the most comprehensive collection of Brackish Bowties, a homegrown company that has taken flight nationally. Who doesn’t want a $695 cummerbund handcrafted entirely of guinea hen plumage? A more common splurge is to select one of many feather bowties that typically sell for $195, with higher-priced limited editions. There are feather earrings to boot, and the shopkeeper encourages visitors to take the feathers out into the sunlight to appreciate their iridescence while debating a purchase. A large handcrafted cast iron skillet by Smithey Ironware retails for $200. And … what if we’re on a strict budget? You could pick up a book dedicated to actor and Charleston resident Bill Murray’s party-crashing antics for $26. There are beautifully photographed prints by Justin Falk that come either matted or as notecards, including a sprawling shot of the famous Angel Oak retailing for $15. Or best of all, spend $3 on the Preservation Society’s bumper sticker to help spread the motto “Gut Fish Not Houses." Who else shops here? Anyone and everyone walks off King Street and into this store. The feather bowties in the window lure people in. Any secret tips? I love the fact that cypress furniture craftsman Capers Landrum Cauthen, whose minimalist side tables retail here, is himself the child of a former Executive Director of the society. Head to the back room for comfy couches, old wood floors and tapestry rugs, a gaggle of great books to peruse, and air-conditioning! Also, although the circular iron staircase in the store’s front room looks awfully tempting, please don’t try to climb it. It leads to the Preservation Society’s actual offices above." - Allston McCrady