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Downtown Greensboro is a shopper’s paradise, offering many unique and timeless treasures. From boutique shops to artisan markets, Downtown is brimming with places to find that perfect piece to cherish.
Whether you’re searching for vintage fashion, handcrafted jewelry, or bespoke home décor, Downtown Greensboro’s eclectic mix of stores promises a delightful shopping experience you won’t find anywhere else. Many shops particularly like to highlight the talents and skills of local creatives, too. So, next time you are debating whether or not it’s time for a little retail therapy, remember that shopping downtown is an opportunity to build community by supporting local businesses and artisans!
Hudson’s Hill
527 South Elm Street
hudsonshill.com
A good gift makes the recipient feel loved, but a great gift? Well, that one gets pointed out and reminisced about for years to come. Anyone looking for a great gift in the Gate City should check out Hudson’s Hill, a downtown shop centered on making and selling goods that have purpose and meaning. Whether made in the USA, connected to a philanthropic endeavor, or produced locally by hand, Hudson’s Hill curates its shop with unique items that will stand the test of time.
Their focus on linking the past and present sets Hudson’s Hill apart. As they say, “We obsess about the old. We thrive on absorbing knowledge so that we can pass it on. We practice storytelling to educate folks about what they’re wearing, but also why it matters, and the importance of the city we call home.” All these factors contribute to a range of gift items that are not only made with quality in mind but also with a purpose. Hudson’s Hill stocks gifts from clothes and accessories to personal care items to leather goods representing Greensboro’s past and present.
Area
515 South Elm Street
areamod.com
But perhaps your tastes run more toward the modern? Greensboro is also a city that looks forward, and Area is the ideal representation of that. Known for its well-crafted modern upholstered furniture, Area’s products are handmade locally in North Carolina.
Whether you are looking for a sofa or chair, dining tables and chairs, or beds, it has a full range of designs to bring your living space into the 21st century. New designs arrive weekly, so you’ll want to stop in regularly to see what’s available. And if you aren’t looking to redecorate your rooms, they also offer gifts and accessories to add a spark of contemporary personality to any space.
Oscar Oglethorpe
226 South Elm Street
www.oscaroglethorpe.com
People of a certain age may recall a long-ago time when wearing glasses lacked a specific cache. Those days are past, and, thankfully, Oscar Oglethorpe is one of the scenes to help each person express their individual style through their eyewear. The shop works with independent eyewear designers to offer a constantly rotating array of frame options. New frame designs enter their lineup each quarter, with thousands joining their collections over the course of a year.
Young, old, and in-between are welcome at Oscar Oglethorpe, which prides itself on its inclusive and welcoming environment. With the goal of making exceptional eyewear accessible, the shop offers competitively priced frames and lenses, as well as eye exams. The goal is to find a pair of glasses that matches your face, hair, and general style, as well as answer the question: “What do you want your glasses to tell people about you?”
Vintage to Vogue
530 South Elm Street
www.vintagetovogue.net
Focusing on vintage, vintage-inspired, and designer pieces, Vintage to Vogue is the dream of owner Jenn Graf, who worked previously as an apparel designer before turning her attention to establishing a unique shop featuring vintage consignment clothing, as well as some local designers.
Featuring men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories, Vintage to Vogue is a haven for anyone who loves to express themselves through fashion. Within the shop’s two stories, expect to spot vintage finds from designers such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Tiffany, Dior, Gucci, and Prada, among others. If you need to take a breather, enjoy one of the shop’s famous mimosas or partake of a craft beer or glass of wine.
And if you can manage to pick up your jaw from all the stylish options, be sure to wander to the back of the store, where you will be blown away by the store’s courtyard. “We have a beautiful courtyard in the back of the store, it’s like a secret garden,” she says. “Everyone loves the store and then they see the courtyard and they’re amazed.”
Scuppernong Books
304 South Elm Street
scuppernongbooks.com
Books. Wine. Community. Scuppernong’s tagline is simple, but it gets to the heart of what the independent bookstore is all about. Located in the heart of downtown Greensboro for the past decade, Scuppernong aims to be the city’s center for intellectual discourse. But, while owner Brian Lampkin says they take that goal seriously, they like to have fun, too. With scores of events and many community gatherings, you would be hard-pressed not to enjoy a visit to their bookshelves.
The shop believes that what matters is conversations. With that in mind, Scuppernong curates its books to represent the community, particularly literary and contemporary issues. “It’s a constant challenge to pick what will define the store,” Lampkin explains. They try to do book launches for local artists that align with their mission, and Scuppernong was behind the creation of Greensboro’s literary festival, Greensboro Bound. For five years, they have run their nonprofit press, Scuppernong Editions, specializing in off-beat memoirs.
Beyond books, Scuppernong offers browsers a coffee shop and wine bar to partake of while they shop or listen to a reading. Lampkin jokes that no one moves to Greensboro because of Scuppernong, but they realize they can move here because of Scuppernong. “Some people can’t live in a city without an independent bookstore,” he adds.
Acme Comics
335 South Davie Street
acmecomics.com
In 2023, to celebrate Acme Comic’s 40 years in Greensboro, the owners decided to open a second location downtown with the goal of catering more to the nearby colleges. Co-owner Ben Roberts explains, “We wanted this location to be reader-friendly and focus more on graphic novels and comics, not back issues.”
But Acme’s downtown location isn’t just about comics; they work hard to create a vibrant shopping experience where you could spend a whole day, soaking in the original art, vintage posters, pinball machines, and more the site offers, including events like movie screenings, creator signings, and pinball tournaments. They also sell VHS tapes, which Roberts likens to collecting vinyl record, “People want a physical copy.”
Just Be
352 South Elm Street
onlyjustbe.com
One thing Downtown Greensboro seems to be about more than anything else is community. Just Be, a gift shop focused on artisan-made and fair-trade items, espouses that idea in all it does. Born from a love of all things handmade and unique, Just Be is where you can come, relax, and be yourself. Equal parts eclectic and inviting, they are a specialty boutique offering gifts, from jewelry to apparel to décor, with stories to tell.
As you can see, Downtown Greensboro has no shortage of exciting and eclectic shopping destinations. Whether you are looking to support local artisans or find the most unique gift, something is sure to catch your eye. It’s all too easy to lose a day wandering Downtown’s array of shops and boutiques. Visit today and delight in the distinctive options only available in Downtown Greensboro!
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