They’ll also put together your favorite items in a themed gift box for you
Local Love CHS founders Shelly Bellil and Medea Duffy.
As small business owners, local market lovers, and James Island neighbors, Shelly Bellil and Medea Duffy had a lot in common. “Shelly contacted me one day and said, ‘Hey, I want to do something that supports local artisans, but I want a partner. What do you think?’” says Duffy. “We both loved going to farmers markets, but had small kids at the time and couldn’t always get there.”
The two decided to open Local Love CHS to sell products made or designed in the Lowcountry outside of limiting market schedules. As inventory and demand increased, the partners outgrew their booth in Patina Market on Maybank Highway, made a temporary pivot to e-commerce during the pandemic, and eventually found a home on Camp Road in 2022. The brick and mortar is a one-stop shop for a rotating selection of sustainably minded products, such as candles, pottery, artwork, skin care, vintage goods, and apparel, from more than 150 local makers.
In addition to individual items, customers can purchase themed gift boxes—think “Hostess with the Mostess” or “Boho Home”—and baskets with four to seven curated items or build their own. “If it can fit in the box, we can do it,” laughs Duffy.
Local Love also hosts pop-ups for creatives and workshops, ranging from flower pressing to watercolors. “I think people are starting to understand how much buying local pours back into the community,” Duffy says. Learn more at locallovechs.com.
