You’ve made your list, checked it twice, and you know what comes next: Christmas Shopping (yes, with capital letters because it is a key event of the season). If the idea of standing in line, fighting traffic, and aimlessly searching through stores has you feeling a little more humbug than ho ho ho, it’s time to try a way of holiday shopping that reimagines the experience.
SouthPark, just a few miles south of Uptown Charlotte, invites visitors to shop for gifts and have a full day of family fun in the process. Imagine parking your car (for the day) and walking or riding the free ride service, the SouthPark Skipper, between each shopping village. You can wander through an art gallery or break for a coffee, pastry, beer, or full meal at any time, with plenty of Charlotte-area staples in the vicinity. While recognizable stores from national brands hold familiar offerings and trends, a robust number of locally owned businesses lend a personal touch to your shopping adventure.
Find outdoor apparel and a selection of sporting goods at Jesse Brown’s Outdoors. Photography courtesy of SouthPark Community Partners
Bill Bartee opened Jesse Brown’s Outdoors in SouthPark more than 30 years ago. “We cater each visit to the needs of the client. Fly fishing guides help in the fly department. Hikers help with hiking boots,” he says. He’s seen the neighborhood evolve over the decades. “The vibrancy of our area continues to grow, but the same friendly feeling remains over 30 years since Jesse Brown’s moved to the neighborhood.”
Whether you’re a SouthPark regular or a first-time visitor, read on for our favorite ways to transform holiday shopping into a day of adventure and discovery.
SouthPark is your home for the holidays, and with over 420 restaurants and shops, the neighborhood is brimming with ways to celebrate the season. Discover ways to wine and dine, find the perfect gift, and experience seasonal art and holiday happenings in the SouthPark Holiday Guide.
Shop for gourmet goodies for holiday snacking (or an immediate pick-me-up) at Reid’s Fine Foods in SouthPark Mall. Photography courtesy of SouthPark Community Partners
Start out at SouthPark Mall, the largest mall in the Carolinas and home to some of the world’s most exclusive brands. You’ll feel like you’re on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue as you hop from one luxury retailer to another, plus browsing more affordable trends from other recognizable stores.
The mall has seen seven new stores open just this year, from organic home goods to eco-conscious womenswear. If you’re shopping with little ones, don’t skip a visit to another new arrival, the toy store CAMP. Kids will have a ball playing at the slime bar, making arts and crafts, or participating in one of the store’s immersive, themed adventures. The mall is also the perfect place to schedule your photo with Santa.
Caffeinate with a coffee or unwind with a house-brewed beer at Suffolk Punch. Photography courtesy of SouthPark Community Partners
For food and drink, consider the Suffolk Punch, an 11,000-square-foot brewery, coffee bar, and restaurant with an outdoor patio, kids’ play area, and a stage for live music. Another favorite, Reid’s Fine Foods is an expansive gourmet market and restaurant where you can eat a delicious meal and pick up gifts for all the foodies on your list.
Next, head over to Morrison, one of the open-air shopping villages within SouthPark. This is the place to shop for distinctive women’s fashion at local boutiques like Poole Shop, Capitol Clothing, Disco Honey, and Boem. If you’re shopping for your home, find decor, furniture, and inspiration at Collected. Over at Anne Neilson Fine Art, you can stroll through the gallery and select a piece from the exhibiting artists. For home decor, stop by CollectedPlus, “with its variety of shops with apartments up above, it almost feels reminiscent of a town in Italy,” Madison Patrizi says, who co-owns the Italian restaurant Mano Bella with her husband, Raffaele.
After a meal at Mano Bella, browse the on-site gourmet grocery for Italian ingredients and goodies. Photography courtesy of SouthPark Community Partners
When you’re hungry for lunch, Mano Bella offers a selection of 12 types of pasta made in-house with organic flour sourced from a small town in Italy. As you eat, you’ll watch chefs making rigatoni and gnocchi at a workstation in the dining room or pulling fresh mozzarella on a video feed from the kitchen.
“We wanted Mano Bella in SouthPark to feel like that hidden gem in Italy that you just happen to stumble upon,” Patrizi says. “The kind that isn’t full of tourists but locals who come back every week because the food is that good.” On the way out, pick up a gift in their artisan market.
Cozy up with the signature mac and cheese or opt for a refreshing salmon bowl at Yafo Kitchen. Photography courtesy of Yafo Kitchen
Not in the mood for Italian? Other options include Yafo Kitchen for Mediterranean bowls and wraps, Yama Asian Fusion for sushi and hibachi, or Sabor for Latin street food.
Stroll between the shops and eateries at Phillips Place. Photography courtesy of SouthPark Community Partners
Next stop is the walkable shopping village of Phillips Place, complete with tree-lined streets and locally owned shops like Winston’s Boutique, plus pop-up retailers like LoveShackFancy and KREWE. Phillips Place is home to recognizable upscale brands, including a show-stopping multistory Restoration Hardware Design Gallery complete with a rooftop restaurant. Several other upscale restaurants and shops dot the streets, along with a hotel for an extended visit.
With cabin-like furnishings and decor, Jesse Brown’s Outdoors sparks inspiration for your next outdoor adventure. Photography courtesy of SouthPark Community Partners
Next on your route is Sharon Corners, a longstanding shopping destination just across from the mall that’s home to large retailers as well as locally owned businesses. First, stop for an afternoon pick-me-up at Chez Marie Patisserie, an upscale French café serving authentic croissants, éclairs, and other sweet treats, along with sandwiches, salads, and homemade baguettes.
Afterward, pay a visit to Jesse Brown’s Outdoors. If shopping has taken a toll on your feet, they can custom-fit you with a comfortable new pair of walking shoes and cushy socks to match. If you want to give a truly memorable gift to an outdoors lover on your list, you can book a guided fly-fishing trip in the North Carolina mountains.
Toast a successful shopping outing with dinner at Steak 48. Photography courtesy of Steak 48
When your shopping is complete, treat yourself to a luxurious dinner in Apex SouthPark, another lively neighborhood that combines shopping, dining, and housing.
One dining option is the date-night-approved Steak 48, where you can feast on caviar, seafood, and, of course, prime cuts of steak. If you want an international vibe, try Mizu, which offers wood-fired seafood and sushi inspired by traditional Japanese cooking methods. For bright Latin flavors to counter the winter blues, get a table at Calle Sol. The menu includes four kinds of ceviche, along with dishes from Cuba and Peru.
If you’re dreaming of summer sun, you can warm up with the bright flavors and atmosphere at Calle Sol. Photography courtesy of Calle Sol
With outdoor Christmas lights shining against the night sky, the holiday glow surrounds you as you load up the car with the day’s treasures, a rewarding end to a successful day of playing Santa’s elf. For detailed information about everything happening at SouthPark, visit the full SouthPark Holiday Guide.
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