The “ONE FISH” necklace ($45) from Dee Ruel’s Little Dee collection
Easy Breezy
Local business maven Katie Poole, owner of event planning firm The Burlap Elephant and cocktail service Batch, adds a trendy third venture to her resume. In May, her surf-inspired women’s outfitter, Bennie + Coco, opened in its cozy yet polished Queen Street space. The offerings are in keeping with Poole’s vision of an elevated boutique with a laid-back feel; you’ll find garments to take you from “that garden party downtown to Station 19 for a few discreet Modelos,” she says. Expect summery maxis, swimwear, and good vibes galore. 50 Queen St., instagram.com/bennieandcoco
Tiny Treasures
Mount Pleasant jewelry designer Dee Ruel recently debuted her first-ever line of beachy accents for little ones, inspired by her travels to Hawaii and beyond. The collection, available online and in Ruel’s studio as of last month, includes layer-able, surf-centric pieces featuring everything from rainbow beads and unicorn horns to conch shells and statement sea creatures. Better yet, the earrings, necklaces, and bracelets are priced between $15 and $45, so these sweet looks won’t break the bank. 826 Coleman Blvd., deeruel.com
Variety Store
This spring, veteran interior designer Sharon Payer channeled her eclectic taste and affinity for quirky, repurposed pieces into a Park Circle brick and mortar that gives Lowcountry makers and dealers a place to sell. In May, The Station was born as a unique home design collective for 28 local vendors, offering goods for every style—from farmhouse to boho. In addition to stocking a bounty of vintage and refurbished furnishings, textiles, gifts, and more, the space houses two galleries with works from eight Charleston visual artists and hosts monthly pop-up shops and outdoor marketplaces with other area craftsmen. 4610 Spruill Ave., facebook.com/TheStationParkCircle
Boom Town
Who says things slow down in the summer? King Street’s busier than ever, having welcomed three new tenants: Boston-based boutique Sara Campbell (195½ King St., saracampbell.com) carries an original line of dresses and separates; “clean” cosmetics shop Alliea (344 King St., alliea.com) arrived on the scene with natural, skin-safe products; and The Vault (284 King St., instagram.com/thevaultonking) does double duty as a gallery and coworking space for female creatives.
Photograph by Tiffany Mizzell Photography
