Embark on a treasure hunt through Charleston’s rich history and culture by exploring the city’s best antique stores, each offering a unique glimpse into the past. From exquisite art galleries showcasing timeless pieces, vintage maps, and treasure troves of botanicals to elegant furniture emporiums filled with heirloom pieces and the highest quality antique furniture from Europe, Charleston’s antique stores cater to every collector’s passion. Delve into the world of silverware and tabletop decor at specialty shops renowned for their craftsmanship, and uncover hidden gems in charming boutiques specializing in smalls and curiosities.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious enthusiast, Charleston’s antique stores offer an unparalleled opportunity to discover the stories and treasures of generations past, adding a touch of history and charm to your home and memories to your time in Charleston. Let my guide to the 18 best antique stores in Charleston, SC be your roadmap through the city to finding well-loved pieces!
In a world increasingly enamored with fast fashion and fleeting trends, I find that the allure of shopping for antique items to be never-ending. It is the most fun, timeless, interesting, creative, educational, and sustainable practice. Opting for antiques is one of the best ways to preserve the craftsmanship and quality of bygone eras. Beyond their practical longevity, antique items carry with them the intangible allure of history and storytelling. Each piece has a past, a narrative that adds depth and character to our spaces and lives.
Whether it’s a weathered armchair with a faded patina or a delicate teacup with a chip in its rim, antiques remind us of the beauty and resilience of the past, inviting us to cherish the stories they hold. By incorporating antique items into our homes and personal style, I believe we not only honor tradition but also infuse our lives with a sense of authenticity and individuality. Here goes, dive into the best antique store in Charleston, SC with me…!
1. Found
Since launching in early 2024, Found quickly became one of Charleston’s most visited antiques destinations. Curated by Kristin Chambless and her husband, Found seeks to educate their clients on the rich history of antiques. And curate beautiful pieces (furnitures, pottery, smalls, you name it!) for a thoughtful and layered home. The husband and wife team has the most meticulous eye and really knows how to bring an old piece to life. The images in this blog post are from the Found showroom. So you can get a sense of just how exquisite each and every piece is! It’s not a proper antique shopping day in Charleston without a visit to Found.
Visit their showroom in downtown Charleston on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am – 2pm or by appointment (if you are visiting Charleston on a weekend, be sure to reach out because they would love to have you!). 109 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401 (2nd floor).
2. Brilant & Co.
For a hundred years, Birlant & Co. has been an integral part of Charleston’s antiques community. Founded in 1922 by George Birlant, it is one of the largest and oldest antiques establishments in the Southeast. Birlant is a direct importer of 18th and 19th century English furniture, silver, china, crystal, lighting, and brass. My mom and I have both made some of our favorite purchases at Birlant & Co. throughout the years! The standing mirror in my bedroom was a Birlant find as have been countless silver pieces and the most gorgeous antique wood box that I gifted Edwin as part of my 5-year wedding anniversary gift to him. Nestled right on lower King Street, it is a must-visit. 191 King St, Charleston, SC 29401.
3. The Silver Vault
When it comes to antique shops, The Silver Vault is a one-of-a-kind destination. Specializing in fine silver from all over the world, with an emphasis on American silver from the South, The Silver Vault is my favorite place to browse in town for a special silver something. Each piece has a story of refinement and practicality (as silver used to be practical!), waiting to be discovered and cherished anew. At The Silver Vault, their criteria of condition, craftsmanship, rarity and provenance govern acquisitions and provide you with distinctive, consequential selections you will be in awe of. One of the most exquisite silver baby cups in my mother’s collection was a find from The Silver Vault a few years ago! 195 King St, Charleston, SC 29401.
4. Croghan’s Jewel Box
Croghan’s Jewel Box could not have a more fitting name, Charleston’s finest jewelry store truly is a jewel box. Not only is Croghan’s the most exquisite jewelry store in Charleston, it is an institution in the city. The shop has been family-owned for over 100 years and specializes in high-end antique. Including estate jewelry, fine jewelry, engagement rings, beautiful antique silver, and specialty gifts. At Croghan’s, you’ll find collections from modern jewelry designers (that are stunning!) But, I think, what makes the shop so special is their collection of treasured finds.
The Croghan’s family and team shops around the world to bring Charleston the quality, value, and eccentricities that can only be found in jewels and silver fromdays gone by.I have a number of cherished pieces from Croghan’s that I will never let go of and will pass down to the next generation of my family. 308 King St, Charleston, SC 29401.
5. Golden & Associates Antiques
Golden & Associates Antiques is one of the finest Charleston antique destinations. The showroom consists of 18th – 19th-century European and American antiques, Caribbean furniture, and vintage lighting. Every piece in their collection tells a beautiful story and is destined to become a precious heirloom that you can pass down for generations to come. I have the most exquisite antique sewing box as well as a classic 18th century nursery guard from Golden & Associates, both of which live in our living room. Note: Golden & Associates Antiques is currently in the process of moving storefronts on King Street so they aren’t currently open. However, their website is up and they are still up and running through that until their new shop opens shortly. 206 King St, Charleston, SC 29401.
6. Alkyon Arts & Antiques
Alkyon Arts & Antiques is one of my favorite antique stores in town. It is by-appointment-only or you can sometimes get lucky and catch the owner when he is there – he will always happily let you in (he is the most kind antiques dealer!). The shop is filled with museum quality pieces and has an impressive collection of art as well. Definitely visit if you consider yourself an antiques enthusiast. 120 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401.
7. Carolina Antique Maps and Prints
Nestled on one of my favorite streets in Charleston is Carolina Antique Maps and Prints. Run by an incredibly knowledgeable and creative Charlestonian antiquarian dealer, the shops is an absolute treasure trove of natural history prints, botanicals, historical prints, and antique maps. I could spend hours flipped through their ever-changing offerings because each work is more beautiful and special than the last. You’ll find rare one-of-a-kind prints along with more accessible prints to take away and add to your collection. There is something for everyone. It is right down the street from Found (see store #1 on my list) and across the street from arguably the best sandwich shop in town, Goat Sheep Cow, so visit these three spots and then get lost meandering Church street for a truly delightful outing. 91 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401.
8. Wentworth
With Charleston’s rich history, the city attracts so many treasure hunters with a beautiful eye for discovery, creation, and curation. One such eye is destination wedding event designer, Gregory Blake Sams. Charleston is abuzz with anticipation as we wait for him to open his first shop, Wentworth, here this season. Sams is calling it “a shop, experience, and curated collection of new, vintage, antique, and one-of-kind goods.” He is doing a sensational job of giving us sneak peaks on his Instagram page as well as glimpses of the histories behind his offerings, a lens into why he felt called to open the shop, and a detailed look into the history of his building and surrounding neighborhood. I can’t wait to experience it! 162 Wentworth Street, Charleston, SC 29401.
9. Tucker Payne Antiques
Tucker Payne Antiques is a must-visit antique store on King Street full of everything from 19th century oil paintings to unique antique lighting to imported English and French furniture. Every piece in Tucker Payne’s wonderfully curated collection is sure to become an item in your collection to be treasured and passed down from generation to generation. 169 King St, Charleston, SC 29401.
Related: Best Time To Visit Charleston SC
10. Wynsum Antiques and Interiors
Whether Antiquing is one of your favorite pastimes or something you’re new to or occasionally find enjoyment in, Wynsum Antiques is a place I know you’ll love to peruse. The showroom is comprised to more than 30 vendors from around the Southeast with impeccable curated merchandise for those with a discerning, creative eye. Grab a coffee next door at The Daily and meander the aisles, booths, and glass cases of Wynsum for everything from your next dining room table to antique pickle forks. I have a set of four antique botanicals that I cherish and lovingly have hung in our living room from Wynsum. 648 King St, Charleston, SC 29403.
11. Alexandra Designs
For the antique hunters with an eye for Swedish, French, and Scandinavian pieces, Alexandra Designs is your must-visit antique shop in Charleston. With a gorgeous selection of pieces, Alexandra imports the best, rarest, and most unusual antiques Europe offers into our wonderful city. What you can expect to find: Gustav and Rococo Scandinavian furniture, Louis XV French furniture, rich patinated Italian and Spanish pieces, and simplistic Swedish styles. 156 King St, Charleston, SC 29401.
12. John Pope Antiques
Even though John Pope of John Pope Antiques closed his eponymous shop, that won’t stop you from finding him all over the city. He regularly pops-up with installs at wonderful spots like The Dewberry to showcase his latest finds and discoveries. With a degree in historic preservation from SCAD, he is a wealth of knowledge with impeccable taste making his pop-ups incredibly worthwhile. You’ll discover charming smalls and takeaways, beautiful textiles, imported decorative accents from Europe to Asia, and so much more. He’s also one of the friendliest antique purveyors in town and in South Carolina! Follow along with him on Instagram to see where you can find him next.
13. Charleston GardenWorks
If your passions lie outside, then a visit to Charleston GardenWorks is a must. It is Charleston’s finest destination for alfresco antiques and unique objects.So much of life in Charleston is lived outside and Charlestonians consider their gardens to be an extension of their homes, even outdoor rooms of their homes, so it’s no surprise that we have a shop dedicated to outdoor antiques. Planters, finials, urns, and exquisite iron settees, chairs, tables, lounges, and other furniture make Charleston GardenWorks a unique and special spot. 719 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403.
14. Elizabeth Stuart
At Elizabeth Stuart, they are constantly in search of beautiful. While the shop isn’t exclusively an antiques shop, they do have an impressive selection of well-loved found pieces from around the world, namely Europe. Driven by Elizabeth’s travels, the shop curates treasures like the most beautiful antique plates (I have a set of for floral antique plates from here that are currently displayed on a mantle in my house), stunning glassware, and so much more. In addition to the antiques they have sprinkled throughout the store, Elizabeth Stuart is perhaps my favorite place to go for all things garden (the garden inspiration is never ending!) and decorating. Baskets, birdhouses, Italian glassware, co*cktail accessories, inspiring garden essentials, linens, jewelry, art, and décor all grace the walls and glass cases of this special shop. 215 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464.
15. Antiques of South Windermere and 17 South Antiques
Antiques of South Windermere and its sister shop, 17 South Antiques, have been family-owned fixtures in the fabric of Charleston’s antiquing community since the 90s. The inventory is expansive with everything from the 18-century to mid-century modern styles. As the family itself says, they are a source for “Old, new, and somewhere in between.” They do a fantastic job of showcasing their offerings on their shared Instagram page for both shops so I highly suggest giving it a follow, especially if you have a specific piece of furniture or something along those lines that you are hunting for. They might just be your source! Antiques of South Windermere: 22 Windermere Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407. 17 South Antiques: 4 Avondale Ave, Charleston, SC 29407.
16. Terrace Oaks Antiques
Located on James Island, about 10 minutes from downtown Charleston, is Terrace Oaks Antiques. The antique mall consists of 60 dealers who occupy 90 booths at this expansive antique mall. There are thousands of items to discover on any given day. Spending time wandering around Terrace Oaks Antiques is actually worthwhile though. It is a treasure hunt but, unlike some antique malls, there are actually treasures to be found. There is furniture as large as dining room sideboards as well as glass cases full of offerings from silver to vintage colored glass to antique china. I, myself, have come away with beautiful oyster plates and special little silver pieces. 2037 Maybank Hwy, Charleston, SC 29412.
17. One of a Find
One of a Find is a Charleston-based showroom for vintage decor accents and furniture with a specialization in lacquered furniture and bamboo finds. While not a destination for those that consider themselves to be serious antiquers, One of a Find, offers a fresh perspective to sourcing colorful, punchy, vintage pieces that add a touch of whimsy into your home. 3226 Maybank Hwy e3, Johns Island, SC 29455.
18. The Charleston Antique Show
The Charleston Antique Show comes to town every spring and gives us a weekend full of antique pleasures where aficionados and collectors alike converge to explore a treasure trove of timeless pieces and exquisite finds. The show brings together 30 exhibitors from the US, England, and Europe who showcase the best period to mid-century furniture, ceramics, fine jewelry, folk art, silver, prints and maps, oriental rugs, garden antiques and more. The show also partners with the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust to support the preservation of and collections of this outstanding local historic estate. Overall, the show really has established itself as a premier southern destination for collectors and design enthusiast alike. 56 Beaufain Street, Charleston, SC 29401.
Photography by Cameron Wilder.
