Shopping in Carytown

I’ve been lucky enough to travel to some great cities in my lifetime. Some trips have been for work, others for fun and vacation. A common theme with me is that I always scope out the shopping before I take any trip, planning out the exact spots to hit before I even arrive. You can call me an experienced shopper. So, when it comes to the Richmond shopping scene, I don’t like to brag – but I’m kind of an expert.

People often ask me my favorite place to shop in Richmond. Without hesitation, I respond, “Carytown!” Why? It’s Richmond’s own equivalent of M Street in Georgetown, King Street in Charleston, or even a small SOHO in New York. What makes Carytown different? It’s 100% authentic and local, not to mention lively and eclectic. What’s wonderful about Carytown is that you can spend an entire day with your friends and family not only shopping but also looking at art, eating a great meal and enjoying a glass of wine – maybe even meeting some great street vendors along the way. Carytown is also pedestrian friendly, so you can leave your car at one end and walk all day.

So, did I mention the shopping? I mean let’s get serious here. It’s fantastic and incredibly diverse. Richmond has such a creative culture, so it doesn’t surprise me that we have stores that run the gamut. If you are visiting Richmond and have a few hours to spend in Carytown, here are my recommendations of where you should make a point to stop and take a look around. Tell them Courtney sent you and who knows, maybe you’ll get a discount!

1.)  Bangles and Beads: Created by a mother and daughter team in 1985, Bangles and Beads primarily carries jewelry with a small collection of beads. Now, with the addition of a third generation, the store has expanded into one of the largest collections of beads and jewelry supplies in the United States. It always has an amazing selection, so check it out!

2.)  Pink: Pink has been a women’s contemporary fashion mecca since 1987. Originally called The Pink Cadillac, it stocks women’s clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry and shoes.

3.) Roan: Led by second-generation merchant Hank Greenberg, Roan is a luxury boutique with a team of experienced stylists. Roan features established designers as well as emerging talents, offering an ever-changing selection of ready-to-wear fashion, jewelry, shoes and accessories that keep its clients on the leading edge of fashion. Each season, Hank chooses pieces from the best collections in New York, Milan, Paris and beyond.

4.) Clementine: Voted “Best Consignment Shop in Central Virginia,” Clementine offers a diverse collection of top brands, including an entire section of premium denim. You’ll find brands like Citizens, Vince, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Anthropologie, Tibi, Rebecca Taylor, Tory Burch, J. Crew, Joe’s, Milly, Elizabeth and James, and DVF. It also carries new accessories at affordable prices.

5.) Need Supply: Originally opened in 1996, Need Supply Co. sells a unique collection of vintage pieces for men and women. As a Richmond-based boutique, it incorporates the culture and style of the city into its selection. Over the past decade, it has evolved to offer a well-edited assortment of contemporary designers and independent labels from the U.S. and abroad.

6.) Ruth and Ollie: Ruth & Ollie is a home furnishings store owned and operated by husband and wife team Mike and Kat Liebschwager. They pride themselves on selling pieces that are unique, modern and fresh. You’ll find upholstered furniture, lighting, pillows, art and accessories. Be sure to ask them about the original Ruth and Ollie –  their grandmothers!

7.) Eurotrash: Anne Hughes founded Eurotrash out of her love of European fashion, culture and travel. She strives to bring what Europeans wear to the States – but at a better exchange rate. She seeks out little lines (and not-so-little lines!) to compile a broad collection of clothing at a range of styles and price points to suit every age, occasion, whim and budget.

8.) Thomas Hines Antiques: Thomas-Hines, Inc. was founded as an antique and interior design company in 1972. Over the years, the original shop has expanded to some 82,000 square feet of fine furniture, porcelain and accessories. Specializing in the sale of pieces from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, the shop is one of the premier sources of antiques on the East Coast, as well as one of the largest sources in Virginia.

Courtney Skunda is a PR and Marketing Director in Richmond. She also works supporting local boutiques, designers and artists around the country with a company called The Nearby. You can keep up with her fashion musings on her blog, Cobblestone Couture, or on Twitter and Instagram.