Sept 1, 2021
5 min read
A Personal Shopper's Guide to Charleston
Eric Schlosberg
is a personal shopper and Miami native. After a fifteen year stint in NYC working in the fashion industry, Eric has returned to his hometown to set down roots with his husband, Logan.
Eric and Logan make frequent visits to the charming southern city of Charleston, South Carolina. Aside from being Logan’s hometown, they love its delicious food, terrific shopping, and rich historical feel.
Read on for Eric’s top recs for a stay in Charleston.
Where to Stay in Charleston
What are your favorite hotels in Charleston?
It’s a toss up between
Hotel Bennett and the
Belmond Charleston Place. Both hotels are absolutely gorgeous, and feel so quintessential Charleston, which we love.
Hotel Bennett has fabulous rooms with massive terraces, and if you hit Charleston during the right time of year, having that outdoor space can be so nice. The Charleston Place has an amazing spa – the best head, neck, and shoulder massage I’ve ever had.
What do you like about the neighborhood they’re in?
Downtown Charleston is so beautiful. From the historic architecture, to the cobblestone streets and flower-lined blocks, you feel transported to another time. There are great little shops and fantastic restaurants, too, all within walking distance. It’s quiet, laidback, and sleepy – in the best way ever.
Where to Eat & Drink
What are your go-to spots to eat & drink in Charleston?
I’m not much of a breakfast person, but I love taking my Starbucks to Marion Square (that’s the park across the street from Hotel Bennett). On a cool, crisp morning, nothing is better.
For lunch, I’d have to say my favorite spot is probably
Raw 167 – it’s all about the Lobster Tostada and the Tuna Burger.
For dinner, it’s a toss up between
High Cotton and
The Ordinary. At High Cotton you definitely need to order a steak. At The Ordinary the menu is always changing based on season and local assortment, but the Seafood Cobb Salad still lives on as one of the best salads I’ve ever had – beautifully composed, and the ingredients were so fresh.
Also, last time we were there visiting, our friend took us to
Lewis BBQ for real homestyle cooking and
WOW
.
The service at all of these places is excellent and the ambiance is lovely. But more than anything for us, it’s all about good food.
Is there anywhere in Charleston you’d recommend for a great solo dinner?
I would say
Frannie and the Fox. It’s an easy, casual pizza and pasta spot in the lobby of the Emeline Hotel.
Where to Shop
What’s your favorite type of shopping?
My favorite type of shopping is all shopping! Being that my husband Logan and I are personal shoppers it’s literally what we do, and Charleston has such a special offering of amazing home and antique shops. Whenever we’re there, I have to hold myself back from coming home with too many things I really don’t need (three new sets of china, anyone?).
Where are the best places to shop in Charleston?
The Boutique Charleston
is a great shop for china and tableware, and the women working there are so sweet and fun to talk with. They know tons about tablescapes and will help you put together the perfect setting for your next dinner party.
One of the best kids shops I’ve ever been to is also right there – it’s called
Under the Almond Trees. We bring a gift home for our god son every time we visit!
That said, there isn’t one specific store I like more than any other. Downtown Charleston is a fairly small and very walkable area, so I suggest strolling around town and popping into all the stores. King Street is the main drag with the majority of the shops, but you don’t want to miss out on the local gems, either.
Where to Get Some Culture
What’s the best way to get to know the culture of Charleston?
To get to know the culture of Charleston just walk around. Let yourself get totally lost on the small historic streets. The architecture, the colors of the homes and buildings, the gardens, it’s all so beautiful and you can really feel the history.
At night, the downtown area is buzzing with young college kids and people enjoying themselves at a range of local bars. It’s a great vibe.
By exploring the streets, you get a great understanding of and connection to Charleston. It feels alive but in the most respectful way ever – imagine the total opposite of a night out on the Lower East Side of NYC.
Where to Get Some R&R in Charleston
If we’re going for a full spa experience, where’s the place?
For the full-package spa experience, you definitely need to go to
The Charleston Place. Treat yourself to a massage (I live for their head, neck, and shoulder massages) and a facial for the most relaxing time. All of their therapists and estheticians are amazing, you can’t go wrong with any of them!
I like to start my day with the spa at Charleston Place, then head to Raw167 for lunch.
Charleston Postcards
Which locations are going on your Instagram highlight reel?
The Instagrammable spots are definitely:
(1) The Pineapple Fountain at the entrance of
Waterfront Park(2) All of the cute little side streets throughout town, especially at night when they’re all lit up by gas lanterns
(3) The gorgeous lobby and bar area of the Hotel Bennett
Where’s the best backdrop for a picture that can be your new profile?
Probably the best backdrop for a gorgeous photo is the view from the waterfront on East Bay Street.
Extras
What’s the one piece of essential info you need to know when planning a trip to Charleston?
It’s
HOT
during the summer months, so if you’re planning a trip during that time, don’t bother packing anything other than shorts and t-shirts.
What’s the tip you tell everyone?
Raw167 doesn’t take reservations, so get there when they open.
What’s the tip you tell no-one?
Sorry, I can’t tell you 😉
