Discover the Pleasures of Shopping in Downtown Anderson

Ordinary or extraordinary. You’ll find both in Anderson’s malls, retail centers and locally owned specialty shops.

And that’s what makes shopping in the Upstate city so much fun. There’s everything you need and so much more, from handmade chocolates and fine loose leaf teas to trendy apparel and high-end kitchen wares.

For the basics, head to Anderson Mall, an indoor shopping extravaganza with well-known retailers like Belk, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Victoria’s Secret, Bath and Body Works, Rue 21, American Eagle Outfitters and Aéropostale.

This modern mall also features a food court, cell phone charging stations, a nursing mother’s lounge, complimentary Wi-Fi services, kiddie rides and even DogSpot, a technology-enabled, climate-controlled dog house where you can leave Fido while you shop.

If you enjoy the thrill of the hunt, you’ve got several awesome choices. Apple Dumplin’ Antique Mall offers vintage and unusual items, from wood doors to kitchen utensils. The Vine Antiques, Gifts & Consignments is more upscale with fine furniture, china and silver sets.

And then there’s Anderson Jockey Lot and Farmers’ Market. Each weekend, some 1,500 vendors gather at the 65-acre flea market to peddle a mind-blowing assortment of goods. You’ll find books, videos, CDs, tools, hardware, home, garden and farm items, automotive parts, fresh produce and even pets and small farm animals.

Looking for outdoor gear? You’ll want to hit Grady’s Great Outdoors. It features kayaks, bikes, fishing rods, hiking boots and many of the best performance apparel brands, including Patagonia, North Face and Columbia.

Cooks will love The Kitchen Emporium Gifts and Wine Bar. Its extensive collection of products includes Le Creuset cast iron cookware, Casafina hand-painted Portuguese stoneware and J.A. Henckels cutlery. The European Market is another must-shop spot for those who enjoy spending time in the kitchen. It sells food products from 25 countries along with homemade cabbage rolls, pierogies, bulochki, chebureki and blintzes.

Two other great destinations for locally produced foods are CocoBon Chocolatier and Split Creek Farm. Tea lovers won’t want to miss Carolina Parakeet, offering a variety of fine loose leaf teas and tea accessories.

Want to add some pizazz to your wardrobe? Women will swoon over Belle Beauty and Girls Go There. The premier shop for men is Cahaly’s Custom Clothing, where you can order tailor-made suits and shirts.

The selection of locally owned gift stores in Anderson is even more extensive. Check out:

• City Seed at the Station – plants, garden tools, gifts and seeds
• Pixel Point – artisan gallery crafts from candles and baskets to birdhouses and brooms
• Unique Things – home decor, candlesticks, lamps, vases, furniture, pillows, jewelry and men’s and women’s clothing
• The Beehive – gifts, clothing, baby items
• McDowell’s Emporium, a new and used bookstore located in a little house off North Main Street