Everyone was so excited about the move-in of H&M on Broughton St., that we tend to forget about the amazing boutiques we have throughout Savannah! Shopping at local boutiques is not only good for Savannah’s economy, but the clothing is often better quality, better for the environment, and more unique. Everyone I ran into looking at these stores was super friendly and passionate about their job. Small businesses put so much care into creating a unique, friendly, customer experience. There are options for all different styles. Stand out from the crowd. Shop local. I’m going to talk about three of my personal favorite shopping destinations in Savannah: Red Clover, Mamie Ruth and Satchel.
Red Clover
Red Clover was opened in 2007 by Leah Lancaster Riffle and Thu Tran, who are best friends. Their goal is to let customers break the mold without breaking the bank. They bring Savannah the latest styles from emerging designers through apparel, shoes and accessories. The store has a youthful, fun vibe and Red Clover describes their customers as passionate and adventurous with an endless amount of curiosity. Employees of the store fit this description as well and they are all super friendly and helpful. The best part of this boutique is how affordable it is! The prices range from $20 to $60. Red Clover is located at 244 Bull St. and you can also shop on their website from anywhere. They’ve won various awards too, such as Best Affordable Boutique, Best Clothing Boutique, and Best Accessories by Savannah Magazine, as well as Best Boutique by Connect Savannah. Harper boutique is their sister store which is located close by at 118 Bull St.
Mamie Ruth
Emily Bargeron, the designer of Mamie Ruth, named the store after her grandmother. Emily designs clothes for “the creative thinkers, the peacemakers, and the girls that just want to have fun.” Their store front doubles as a studio, is beautifully decorated and vocalizes the distinct aesthetic of the brand. The clothing has a southwestern hippy vibe, and although the price point is a little higher, it feels very high quality and is all made in the USA! Mamie Ruth makes an effort to use eco-friendly, sustainable materials. They sell apparel and accessories ranging from $50 to $130. You can shop Mamie Ruth online, at their store on 107 W. Liberty St., specialty retailers across the country and now at Belk. If you are interested in the brand, they are having a launch party at Belk in the Oglethorpe Mall on March 9 from 5:00-8:30 p.m., that will have fun activities like DIY flower crowns, a photo booth and a wine bar!
Satchel
Satchel opened in 2006 and sells high quality leather goods. The store doubles as a studio and you can see the artists making products while you shop! They work with customers to create custom creations. The store space is casual and cozy, complete with a super comfy couch. They produce two collections each year and those can be seen in the store, but if you’re interested in a different color or strap, they can customize it! If you have a vision of the perfect bag, they will work with you to design something that fits your needs. Their goods are very unique, and since no hide is exactly the same, you know you have something original with character. Located at 4 E Liberty, the company is small, but they are all experts in creating an enjoyable customer experience. The products there are amazing, but the highlight of the store is the big, fluffy dog that roams around and loves making new friends.
Photos taken by Julie Sampson