Local Must-Haves
Shoppers who want to support independent businesses from their homes can browse the Essentially Charleston online shop for curated collections focusing on fashion, kids, home and garden, kitchen and pantry, and lifestyle products by local makers, artisans, and designers. The website, started by Sunny Gray, chief financial officer of DigSouth, features brands such as 42 Pressed, Bulls Bay Saltworks, Grey Ghost Cookies, eluCook Designs, Hemming Birds, Indigo Bee Company, King Bean Coffee Roasters, The Joggle Factory, and Toadfish Outfitters. Essentially Charleston also offers themed baskets designed for corporate gifts, and a portion of every sale is donated to Lowcountry Local First. [essentiallycharleston.com]
Alfresco Workout
Longevity Fitness, which recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, has renovated the rooftop at its Rutledge Avenue club, adding an 1,800-square-foot terrace to expand its outdoor group fitness classes. The Terrace also features a lounge—outfitted with couches, gliding chairs, and a fire bowl—designed for pre-or post workout relaxation. Look out for soon-to-come reclining chaise lounges enclosed by privacy trellises, where clients can rent noise-canceling headphones or enjoy a cup of tea. [163 Rutledge Ave., longevityfitnesscharleston.com]
Natural Beauty
Element Candles, launched in 2015, has expanded to offer beauty and body products under the overarching brand, Othos Conscious Body Care, and opened a store on Broad Street. The shop features Othos bar soaps, bath bombs, body oil, and foot scrubs in addition to Element Candles and personal fragrances. Handmade in Charleston, the natural products do not contain parabens or phthalates. [57 Broad St., othosbrand.com]
Eye on King
Fans of hip Warby Parker glasses can get eye exams and try on frames in-person at the New York-based company’s King Street store, the first brick-and-mortar location in South Carolina. Warby Parker launched as a direct-to-consumer retailer for prescription glasses in 2010, expanding to offer sunglasses and contacts and opening more than 100 stores nationwide. [415 King St., warbyparker.com]
