Urbn Chic Boutique at Harbor East, Baltimore
There is no better time than summer to escape the crowded malls and take advantage of the fresh air and the boutique shopping in the Chesapeake Bay region. The small boutiques all around Maryland service customers with a keen eye for one-of-a-kind purchases that make them feel they’ve finally gotten what they’ve paid for.
For many, boutique shopping is an experience—one that includes a nice leisurely lunch and a lot of walking on a beautiful day. Most of the stores highlighted in this story are located in quaint little venues that are steeped in tradition and history.
INNER HARBOR EAST
Alive with new development, the revitalized Harbor East is located, as the name suggests, just east of the Inner Harbor and offers a wealth of restaurants and hotels as well as the new Landmark movie theater. But if you want to find a pair of Loeffler Randall boots, you’ll have to stop into Urban Chic, a one-stop shop for both new trends and the ever popular “new classics.” They also have one of the most extensive denim collections as well as the perfect dress for a special occasion.
Bluehouse oofers modern, green and healthy products for the home.
Within walking distance of Urban Chic are a few stores definitely worth a look. Bluehouse offers modern, green, and healthy products for the home, including furnishings by Herman Miller, Atlantico, and Environment Furniture; Flor carpet tiles; and GreenSleep and Savvy Rest organic mattresses. Their in-house café serves Counter Culture Coffee, another delicious incentive to drop in.
A few more steps down the street, you’ll find Gaines McHale Antiques & Home, which has one of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest varieties of European country and formal antiques, antique replicas, private label upholstered goods and one-of-a-kind accessories. And don’t miss Handbags in the City, where owner George Sakellaris is always on the lookout for the latest must-have bags.
GREENSPRING STATION
Just a short drive north from Harbor East, Greenspring Station offers boutique shopping and dining for those not looking to make the trek downtown. After a quick lunch at the Stone Mill Bakery, you can stop at one of the hottest new boutiques in the area known for their party dresses from Tracey Reese, Walter, Lia Kes, Beth Bowley and Foley & Corinna and more. Fresh “leaves you feeling like you just hung out with your best girlfriend raiding her closet for the most coveted thing,” says owner, Heidi Slacum. Right next door to Fresh is a little jewelry shop called Bijoux Inspired Jewels that sells unique pieces, wedding and engagement rings and custom jewelry.
ELLICOTT CITY, MARYLAND
Founded over 230 years ago as a milling town, this respite from city living, promises cobblestone pathways, comfortable restaurants, art galleries and boutique shopping. Here are just a few stores to whet your appetite. Tamaras’s has three floors of French country, shabby chic, cottage and primitive furnishings and accessories. Stroll down the boutique-lined street and you’ll find a string of must-see store like Sweet Cascades – a chocolate lovers dream. Owner Susan Whary says, “None of our chocolates are shipped in, all of our chocolates are hand-made in our store.” Dark Belgian truffles, turtles (caramel and pecans), and Not Your Mommas Appie Pie are all big sellers.
Of course, you don’t have to shop just for yourself. Ellicott City’s The Yuppy Puppy Pet Boutique has an enormous selection of collars, leashes and harnesses for your dog. They also offer upscale apparel, innovative gifts, toys and treats and they even have a cat room now for cat lovers.
One final stop to look for on our Ellicott City tour is the Still Life Gallery, a hybrid of a natural history museum and an art/design showcase. The gallery features paintings and sculpture by emerging artists such as butterflies under glass and nature-inspired jewelry.
Pamper your pet at Ellicott City's Yuppy Puppy Boutique.
DOWNTOWN ANNAPOLIS
Home of the United States Naval Academy and a beautiful view of the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis is rich in maritime history–but don’t forget the shopping. Right next to the Ben & Jerry’s store, you’ll find a plethora of boutiques that might suit your fancy. Starting from the bottom of Main Street, you’ll find a sophisticated little treasure in The Pink Crab who sells the complete Lilly Pulitzer® collection for ladies, men and kids. In addition, The Pink Crab also carries Vineyard Vines Ladies apparel, Jack Rogers sandals, Eliza B and other fun accessories for summer.
Just a short stroll away is Lilac Bijoux who offers handbags, jewelry and accessories by Leda Reis, Jackie Powers and Deux Lux. They also carry Matt & Nat handbags, a vegan line from Canada and Hobo from Annapolis. “We’re seeing a great response to a new line of wallets and handbags made from brightly colored Tuscan leather called MyWallit,” says owner Beth Ingham.
If you’re looking for creations by American and International artists, go down a few stores to Casa Nova of Annapolis. “We are unique in representing over 45 artists in the disciplines of creating one-of-a-kind jewelry, ceramics and contemporary original art,” says co-owner, Jim Jaffre. Casa Nova best sellers include fat ceramic hand-painted chickens imported from France.
Throwing a bowl at Annapolis Pottery
Annapolis is definitely a full-day shopping experience. Don’t forget to hit The Annapolis Pottery who specializes in American made, fine quality, functional stoneware and porcelain created by local, regional and nationally known clay artists. Easy Street is a little boutique right down the block that focuses on art glass. They represent over 200 American artisans who work exclusively with Easy Street as well as some well-known designers such as Patricia Locke, Jessica Lee, Michael Michaud and Holly Yashi.
One other Annapolis boutique worth mentioning and warrant the few extra steps is Candles Off Main, a candle shop that offers 15 different candle lines by the best candle-makers in the U.S. and France. “We are one of the few candle shops that offer essential oil diffusers and Lampe Berger as fragrance alternatives to candles,” says owner, Sue Adams.
ST. MICHAELS, MARYLAND
Just over the Bay Bridge from Annapolis, awaits an escape to St. Michaels, a quaint Eastern Shore waterfront village that is a shopping-lovers dream town. Among the many antique stores, you’ll find Coco and Company who have a changing selection of antique and vintage furnishings that mingle with gorgeous custom upholstered and slipcovered furniture and exciting new decorative accessories that combine to create their eclectic and comfortable signature style. Another great find in St. Michaels is Galerie Française, a gallery of vintage posters mainly from Europe especially France where owner, Judith Summers lived and collected for twenty years. Their selection contains all of the well-known poster artists from the l890’s to l950’s. They also carry some lesser-known artists with interesting decorative value at reasonable prices.
Words of advice when you start your boutique shopping adventure, check the store hours and times for these stores before you go. You can learn more about these stores and their hours of operation on their websites. Good luck and good shopping!
Contacts:
Handbagsinthecity.com or 410-528-1443
Urbanchiconline.com or 410-685-1601
Gainesmchale.com or 410-625-1900
Bluehouselife.com or 410-276-1180
Bijouxjewels.com or 410-823-5545
Freshandhush.com or 443-901-0097
Sweetcascades.com or 410-750-8422
Theyuppypuppypetboutique.com or 410-750-9663
Tamaras.biz or 410-465-5117
Stilllifegallery.com or 410-461-1616
Thepinkcrab.com or 410-216-9994
Lilacbijoux.com or 410-263-3309
Casanovajewelry.com or 410-280-8840
Easystreetgallery.com or 410-263-5556
Candlesoffmain.com or 410-990-0664
Annapolispottery.com or 410-268-6153
Cocoandcompany.com or 410-745-3400
Judithsummers.com or 410-745-6329
