The Charleston City Market

The Charleston City Market should be the starting spot for any visitor touring Historic Downtown Charleston, S.C. as the market — and surrounding streets — is filled with incredible local shopping and great food.

The City Market spans four blocks of downtown Charleston, from Market Street all the way to the waterfront, and is open 365 days a year. It is filled with vendors selling craft items like handmade baskets, carved wooden statuettes, and jewelry as well as antiques, candy and jumbo pretzels. 

The Market is a National Historic Landmark and photos of the early days of the area are featured in the permanent display, “Life in Coastal South Carolina circa 1840” in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.

The land was donated to the city of Charleston in 1788 by Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, but stipulated that a public market was to remain on this land in perpetuity. The low buildings closer to the waterfront were built in between 1804 and 1830, and butchers and fisherman rented out the tables for $1 to $2 per day to sell their goods. The current Market Hall was built in 1841 and was designed as a replica of the Temple of the Wingless Victory in Athens, Greece. 

The Market continues to overflow with tourists everyday of the year purchasing items unique to Charleston, S.C., and is a must-stop for anyone visiting the historic city.

HelloCharleston Tip: Most prices in the market are negotiable, so make sure to bargain shop. Some of the basket-weavers will ask you to buy a basket if you choose to take a photo of them creating their designs — and will usually ask you to do this after you have snapped your photo.

- by Mike D'Avria, Charleston Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Mike D'Avria

Mike D'Avria graduated with a Journalism Degree from Indiana University in 2003.

He worked for the daily newspaper, The Athens Banner-Herald in Athens, Ga. before turning to freelance writing and video production.

Mike is the Executive Editor of CampLeadership.org, and has lived in Charlotte for four years.