Vacation is about getting away from a work routine, relaxing, dining and sleeping in—all true. But vacation is also about shopping and the more convenient and varied that shopping is, the better.
That makes Aiken—in particular, Downtown Aiken centered on Laurens Street—the perfect destination for shoppers looking for great variety and ease of access. No matter what's on your shopping list, chances are it’s just a short walk away.
Where to start? This being Aiken, home of horse racing and horse lovers, your first stop should be Equine Divine, a cozy gift shop featuring all things equine, from horse artwork to horse-themed gifts. “We cater to horse enthusiasts” is their motto. Another good choice is Epona, an equine-inspired boutique featuring wearable art, decorations, jewelry, accessories, clothing … you name it.
If your horse-shopping needs are more practical, check out Aiken Dry Goods, where you'll find everything from boots to jeans and more.
As long as the subject is animals you love, be sure to visit Aiken’s two canine-themed establishments, Bone-I-Fide Bakery and Grooming and Downtown Dog. Both feature an array of items for your pooch—leashes, collars, dog toys, chewables—and both are also in the dog bakery business. Bone-I-Fide will even whip up a personalized doggie birthday cake with 24 hours notice.
You’ve taken care of your horses and pups, now it’s time to indulge yourself. For women, Aiken has a selection of fun boutiques and clothing stores, including Caroline’s Boutique, White Rose Eclectics and Fox & Lady.
For men, there’s the Aiken classic, Lionel Smith, Ltd., established in 1976 and remaining in the Smith family through multiple generations. Want to dress your offspring in style? Visit Pitter Patter to find children’s fashions as well as toys and gifts.
Aiken also has a vivid array of jewelry, embroidery and gift boutiques, notably The Paisley Peacock, which also offers monogramming; 3 Monkeys Fine Gifts, with custom in-house printing and home accessories; and Beyond Bijoux, specializing in fashion jewelry at competitive prices.
Buying for the home? Nandina Home & Design is an interior design studio and store, offering furnishings and design elements for any abode. For the kitchen, see Plum Pudding. It has a great selection of cookware, dinnerware, kitchen tools and other products, including designer china.
Of course, a vacation is not complete without time spent searching for an antique addition to your home. Three antique stops you'll want to make are Aiken Antique Mall, Laurens Street Antiques and York Cottage Antiques, all displaying a vast selection of furniture and other items.
Along the same lines is artwork for the home. Art & Soul of Aiken has stained glass delights by Stacy O’Sullivan and sculpture work by Kim Rising. The gallery also displays and sells other local artists’ work, creating a space for visitors to enjoy their work and for artists to sell it.
So now you’ve shopped ‘til you’ve (almost) dropped; how about a sweet pick-me-up? Cyndi’s Sweet Shoppe is the go-to spot for anyone with a sweet tooth. Old-fashioned candies sold in bulk are the big favorite, but owners Dick and Cindy Rudisell also are happy to whip up gift boxes, wedding gifts and party favors.
With gifts for friends back home, new clothes for the whole family, home furnishing and antiques, and a few treats for Fido, a bag of candy is the perfect end to your downtown Aiken shopping adventure.
You'll Find Everything on Your Shopping List in Aiken
