Recession? What Recession? King Street is Booming

Since my office is located at 214 King St, I pay close attention to what is happening on the entire stretch of the historic street.  It is a constantly evolving animal, subject to joys and disappointments, complaints about loss of local boutiques and chains moving in.  But the fact is, when I first came to Charleston 15 years ago, King Street was only half of what it is today.

So in the recent recession, have some shops on King Street closed?  Yes.  Have some companies gone out of business?  Unfortunately, yes.  But others are moving in to try their hands at being a King Street stalwart and just in the past three months, it’s been nearly impossible to keep up with the new names and faces!  So here is a list I put together – it’s probably missing a few so let me know.

Upper King St (above Calhoun St)

  • Twenty-Six Divine – 682 King St.  A lovely gourmet food and goodies shop.
  • Barsa – 58 Line St (but faces King St). A new tapas lounge taking the place of Shine.
  • Adam – 499 King St.  Upscale men’s consignment shop.

Middle King St – Calhoun to Market

  • Robot Candy – 322 King St.  A vintage candy and memorabilia shop.
  • 32 Degrees – 315 King St.  A yogurt bar in the old Norma May International space.
  • Oxette – 258 King St.  An international jewelry store in the old Ritz Camera location.
  • Rack Room Shoes – 249 King St.  In the old Banana Republic Men’s store.

Lower King St – Market St to Broad St

  • Forever 21 – 211 King St.  This will be opening this fall in the old Saks Fifth Ave location on the corner of Market and King across from Charleston Place.
  • Sugar Snap Pea – 161 1/2 King St.  A cute new children’s clothing store.

And there will be a brand new addition to the corner of King St and Fulton.  Coming soon!

One Response to “Recession? What Recession? King Street is Booming

  • Kristin – I came to this post via googling something, and I read through the whole thing (even though it wasn’t what I was originally looking for) before I realized it was you! hehe. I still vote no to rackroom shoes, though the rest are great!

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