Southern strolls: 2 cool neighborhoods in Charleston

Stop and smell the java — and jasmine — at Hope and Union Coffee Co. in Charleston’s Elliotborough neighborhood.

By Erik Torkells

In every city, I’m generally convinced there’s a neighborhood where enterprising creative types have opened interesting businesses — unfortunately, this conviction has led me on more than one wild goose chase. So on a recent trip to Charleston, S.C., I was thrilled to discover the neighborhoods of Elliotborough and Cannonborough. A nice long walk from the part of town most visitors hang out in, they can be a respite from the crowds that hang out on King Street and Market Street. (From what I can tell, they’re centered on Spring and Cannon streets, between Coming and Rutledge.) A few shops and restaurants definitely worth checking out….

The best scone I have ever had was a blueberry-and-lemon-curd one at Wild Flour Pastry. (The chocolate chip cookies were mighty good, too.) Wherever you’re staying in Charleston, you should make a pilgrimage to Wild Flour.
In fact, order that treat to go and head over to Hope & Union Coffee Co., in a beautifully restored house. If you can’t snag a seat — the café is popular it is with attractive people working on laptops — stroll over to Artisan Tees, which sells T-shirts designed by artists.
Mac & Murphy is an adorable shop with terrific greeting cards, stationery, wrapping paper and the like. If you’re a man, they’ll probably suggest you also wander down the block to Indigo & Cotton, a menswear boutique stocking various brands. It pairs nicely with the edgier Rogue Wave Surf Shop — less of a surf shop than a clothing shop with a surfer’s attitude. Rogue Wave is often the site of concerts during the area’s Final Friday party on the last Friday of every month.
My favorite discovery isn’t actually in Elliotborough or Cannonborough, but it’s not far, and I loved it so much that I’m forced to include it. It’s a sandwich shop called Butcher & Bee that’s only open at lunchtime and late at night. The delicious menu changes daily — you can find it on the restaurant’s Facebook and Twitter pages. As a bonus, it’s next to the Old Charleston Joggling Board Co., which makes quirky Lowcountry benches that rock side-to-side.

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Formerly the editor of Budget Travel magazine, contributor Erik Torkells has written for many other publications, including Travel + Leisure, the New York Times and T Magazine. He has appeared on MSNBC, Fox News, and “Good Morning America” on Orbitz’s behalf.

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