The South’s Best Shops 2017

That's right, we take shopping seriously in the South. Whether it’s offering a glass of tea at the register or connecting customers with local makers, the shops on this list are so beloved, customers feel like “regulars” the same way they do at a bar or restaurant and even newcomers feel like they’ve been welcomed into a friend’s living room. RELATED: The Best Shop in Every Southern StateSome of the winners on our list are owned by Nashville royalty, from actress Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James, her country-preppy line of clothing and accessories, to Hank William’s granddaughter Holly Williams and her modern take on a vintage general store. Other winners have been building loyal followings like Anna Rifle Bond’s Rifle Paper Co., which launched the illustrator and her floral designs into superstardom, and Erin Reitz and Kelly Clarke Speake’s The Commons in Charleston,  which has become just as much of a destination for visitors as the city’s restaurants.The paintings, intricate jewelry, and textiles displayed at ShopSCAD aren’t your typical goods; they’re the work of the students from Savannah College of Art and Design. The Art of Simple is no basic beachside shop; it’s a Seaside staple that features an eclectic collection of home items, from enamelware trays to milk glass cake stands.RELATED: The South's Best Shop 2017: The Paris Market & BrocanteBut our winner, The Paris Market, stands as our community's favorite (and our staff’s too) for its ability to blend Southern hospitality with European aesthetics. Whether it’s scooping lavender buds into cloth sacks near the cash register, finding an instant dose of aromatherapy through their candle collection, or admiring the mix of french antiques in the basement level, this shop and all of our winners provide not only an escape, but inspiration– and just that certain something we didn’t know we needed.