Your Guide to Durham Shopping

You won’t find a strip of souvenir shops with shot glasses and airbrushed t-shirts on Main Street. Instead, you’ll find immigrant-owned galleries, nonprofit fair-trade stores and uniquely Durham mementos to help you remember your trip.

Check out Discover Durham's research, white papers, and resources here.

DAY 1 – Shop Boutique Goods and Durham Makers to Find Gifts or Complete Your Home's Look

Day

At CCB Plaza find The Artisan Market at 305, a collective home to handmade gifts and pieces of art by approximately 60 NC-based artists. Cecy's Gallery on Foster Street is home to locally made art, jewelry, clothing and more. Parker & Otis at the American Tobacco Campus (ATC) is annually voted the best gift store in town and doubles as a delicious foodie destination with breakfast biscuits, sandwiches and coffee. If you're in the mood to see some art on your trip, you can shop the Parker & Otis gift shop at the Nasher Museum of Art.

If you find yourself downtown on a Saturday morning in March through December, stop by the pavilion at Durham Central Park. It’s sure to be bustling with locals shopping for produce at the Farmers’ Market, and you can buy handmade goods from the makers themselves at the Durham Craft Market.

The Ninth Street District is also a center of gravity for shopping in Durham with plenty of breakfast and lunch options nearby.

Not to be outdone, the 15-501 corridor, just a little outside of downtown, also has many excellent dining and shopping options. Casa Bella Market is a wonderful place to shop for locally made gifts that range from kitchen and home accessories to art, stained glass and jewelry. Bowerbird Apothecary is a full-service floral design service that also offers a range of excellent gifts and home goods. Shop their selection of teas or bath and body products to accompany an beautiful floral arrangement.

Snag Durham Swag at Dolly's Vintage.

Evening

Saunter into Dolly’s Vintage on Main Street for funky one-of-a-kind finds across clothes, greeting cards and an eclectic assortment of socks. 

From the heart of downtown, make your way to the Brightleaf District. In Brightleaf Square, find Indio for gifts, textiles and personal care items and Hamilton Hill Jewelry for contemporary and modernist takes on wearable keepsakes. Step into Mill and Meadow for all of your stationary needs as well as home goods and accessories. Also located in Brightleaf Square, The Borough has a down-to-earth selection of home and garden decor and gifts like candles, ceramics, baskets and bags, vases and more. Dine at low-key spots like Clouds Brewcade + Kitchen or East Asian-inspired fare at Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets to close out the night.

Enjoy the shops and eats at the Streets at Southpoint.

Day 2 - Recreate Your Signature Style with Durham's One-of-a-Kind Boutiques

Morning

Durham’s super-regional mall, The Streets at Southpoint, is worthy of a full morning for those who want to shop bigger brands with recent openings including Vuori, Alo Yoga, Aritzia and more. Its indoor/outdoor setting makes it a destination that attracts shoppers from across the state. Pick up a smoked salmon bagel from nearby Dulce Café to maintain sustenance throughout the day or choose a food court option for lunch.

Day

Thrifters will love the shops featured in the Lakewood and Rockwood District Guide. In addition to those, there’s MODE Consignment Boutique in Brightleaf and Gibson Girl Vintage in the West End neighborhood. If you’re more of a bibliophile, revel in Golden Fig Books’ space with a superior selection of used books.While you’re on this side of town, have a leisurely lunch in a vintage-inspired space at Foster’s Market.

Shop Curated Collections for the Perfect Night Out Fit

Downtown, you can find ethical and sustainable pieces from Rose & Lee Collective to craft a trendy or timeless look. For that perfect outfit, Smitten Boutique is a boutique spot for women of all ages with a sense of style. Vaguely Reminiscent is a fixture on Ninth Street and another women’s clothing and gift shop. Jada’s Men’s Accessories on Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard specializes in handmade bow ties and neckties for all occasions.

Shop Vert & Vogue's highly curated selection of clothes and accessories.

Try Certified B Corporation Vert & Vogue near downtown’s Five Points intersection for mindfully-made seasonal collections and beautiful pieces from independent designers. Make an appointment in advance for a personal styling experience. Dressed to impress, cozy up at Bar Virgile for elevated dinner and drinks.

Now that you've heard the highlights, it's time to hit the town!

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