There’s a new attraction in Charleston this spring offering shoppers the chance to sample the elegant shopping experience of Miami’s exclusive Bal Harbour boutiques. Downtown Charleston’s wonderful mix of popular brands, unique shops, and craft concessions lining King Street and the Market vicinity, is always a haven for browsers. Now across the bay until mid-April, high end retailing is showcased in an ultra-chic Access Bal Harbour Pop-up shopping center.
In Mount Pleasant, just across the bridge from historic downtown Charleston, an elegant mini-mall has been created with a dozen high end retailers and a first class restaurant set amidst a lush tropical courtyard. I was invited to see how to see how Miami’s premiere shopping district is offering shoppers and diners a special open air opportunity to become acquainted with the curated shopping experience.
Along two airy corridors separated by a courtyard of elegant trees, fauna, and fountains evoking the tropical beach side setting of the Florida location, a dozen prestigious retailers are installed in classic compact showrooms. Fashions by Balmain, Valentino, Etro, Dolce and Gabana, Lanvin, are interspersed with sparkly Tiffany jewels, ornate Golden Goose sneakers, stylish Assouline books all displayed along with goods from Johanna Ortiz, Cremieux, Scanlan Theodore. Overflowing into the courtyard, The Whitman restaurant serves cocktails, teas, and meals. Lunch and dinner menus mix classic dishes with local offerings.
The Whitman is named for the founder of Bal Harbour, the forerunner of luxury malls. In 1965 Stanley Whitman conceived the original high-fashion shopping center in Miami, designing it as a balmy contrast to the vast malls with asphalt parking lots opening across the country. Luring specialty brands and designers that could be found only in New York, Paris, Texas, he created a destination shopping center that now is home to a collection of more than a hundred of the world’s luxury fashion and jewelry brands. Now celebrating its 60 year anniversary, it is home to a collection of more than a hundred of the world’s luxury fashion and jewelry brands. Celebrities, socialites, and fans come to Bal Harbour for the distinguished goods and level of service which is introduced and emulated in the Access Bal Harbour Pop-up.
While shoppers can always go to the premiere Florida destination, be advised the Charleston Bal Harbour experience is limited—the Access Pop-up will be in Charleston only through April 13 before moving on.
