O
nly seven years old, Brackish is a hometown
success story fueled by iridescent feathers
and friendship. Plotner’s pal and business
partner Ben Ross collected wild turkey feathers
to handcraft one-of-a-kind bow ties as thank
you presents for his wedding groomsmen. The unique gift led
Plotner to think there could be a demand for them. Neiman
Marcus, Orvis, and Nordstrom thought so, too, and today
Brackish employs some 40-fellow Charlestonians in a
suburban offi ce park where they design and create bow ties
in brilliant avian colors. A line of women’s accessories, cuff s,
and earrings debuted this year. The feathers’ bejeweled hues
are natural, with peacocks, exotic pheasants, and wood ducks
as favorite species.
“We can’t do any better than Mother Nature’s paintbrush,”
Ross says. “It’s the most spectacular brush in the world.”For retailers, Charleston’s rich tradition of gift-giving
can impart longevity to the best. Croghan’s Jewel Box,
established in 1907, has prospered for more than 100 years,
tending to generations of families. The 24-person fi rm runby Mariana Ramsay Hay and Rhett Ramsay Outten, grand-
daughters of the original founder, bustles with activity at
their store at 308 King Street, the city’s retail thoroughfare.
Upstairs, three jewelers design, restore, and polish pieces
with delicate precision. Downstairs, customers peruse
display cases searching for the exactly right gift. That’s vital,
as Charleston excels in the generous gesture.
“You come to call, you bring a present,” Hay explains.
“That’s just how we Charlestonians were raised.”Traditional Charleston heirlooms at Croghan’s include a
silver celebration cup on which a child’s birth, communion,
and wedding dates await engraving, and stirrup cups featuring
whimsical animal heads like alligators and foxes. Turn a cup
upside down and it is now a drinking glass. For those taking
the long view, there is a child’s silver soap bubble wand that
becomes a cocktail stirrer when they grow up.More suggestions on where to find only-in-Charleston
products follow. Meantime, you can start planning your trip
at ExploreCharleston.comBOONE HALL MARKET
Sample Lowcountry flavor at this
unique grocery store located in
nearby Mount Pleasant. It’s stocked
with seasonal produce from historic
Boone Plantation including jarred
peaches, blueberries, watermelons,
and tomatoes. A dairy and meat
section, café, and displays of other
South Carolina products make
Boone Hall a local favorite.M. DUMAS & SONS
Since 1917 this King Street retailer
has clothed Charleston’s men with
sartorial flair. “Southerners like
being seen and dressing well,”
explains M. Dumas President and
CEO Gary Flynn, and his store
does the dapper well by offering
colorful casuals, Italian suits, and
its own brand of seersucker and
blue blazers.PRESERVATION SOCIETY SHOP
Charleston has nurtured a wave of
small-scale designers and makers.
This King Street outlet provides
a platform for many of their prod-
ucts. As the retail arm of the historic
Preservation Society, the shop
curates the best local candles, soaps,
accessories, and art. The backroom,
stocked with locally relevant books,
makes a cozy traveler’s retreat.HIGH WIRE DISTILLING COMPANY
This local spirits maker specializes
in bourbon and whiskey, including
one distilled from a variety of
South Carolina heirloom corn
called “Jimmy Red” found originally
only on nearby James Island. Visitors
to the tasting room can try samples
(High Wire makes gin and a vodka,
too) and tour the facility.MORE LOCAL FAVORITES
Clockwise from left:
Croghan’s Jewel Box
carries gifts for every
occasion such as this
pewter gator stirrup
cup; High Wire Distilling
Company offers tours
and tastings; traditional
Gullah sweetgrass
baskets are hand woven
on-site at the Charleston
City Market; Boone Hall
Market is all about local
products and produce.PARTNER CONTENT FOR EXPLORE CHARLESTON