The “ONE FISH” necklace ($45) from Dee Ruel’s Little Dee collection
Easy Breezy
Local business maven Katie Poole, owner of event planning firm The Burlap Elephant and cocktail service Batch, adds a trendy third venture to her resume. In May, her surf-inspired women’s outfitter, Bennie + Coco, opened in its cozy yet polished Queen Street space. The offerings are in keeping with Poole’s vision of an elevated boutique with a laid-back feel; you’ll find garments to take you from “that garden party downtown to Station 19 for a few discreet Modelos,” she says. Expect summery maxis, swimwear, and good vibes galore. 50 Queen St., instagram.com/bennieandcoco (opens in a new tab)
Tiny Treasures
Mount Pleasant jewelry designer Dee Ruel recently debuted her first-ever line of beachy accents for little ones, inspired by her travels to Hawaii and beyond. The collection, available online and in Ruel’s studio as of last month, includes layer-able, surf-centric pieces featuring everything from rainbow beads and unicorn horns to conch shells and statement sea creatures. Better yet, the earrings, necklaces, and bracelets are priced between $15 and $45, so these sweet looks won’t break the bank. 826 Coleman Blvd., deeruel.com (opens in a new tab)
Variety Store
This spring, veteran interior designer Sharon Payer channeled her eclectic taste and affinity for quirky, repurposed pieces into a Park Circle brick and mortar that gives Lowcountry makers and dealers a place to sell. In May, The Station was born as a unique home design collective for 28 local vendors, offering goods for every style—from farmhouse to boho. In addition to stocking a bounty of vintage and refurbished furnishings, textiles, gifts, and more, the space houses two galleries with works from eight Charleston visual artists and hosts monthly pop-up shops and outdoor marketplaces with other area craftsmen. 4610 Spruill Ave., facebook.com/TheStationParkCircle (opens in a new tab)
Boom Town
Who says things slow down in the summer? King Street’s busier than ever, having welcomed three new tenants: Boston-based boutique Sara Campbell (195½ King St., saracampbell.com (opens in a new tab)) carries an original line of dresses and separates; “clean” cosmetics shop Alliea (344 King St., alliea.com (opens in a new tab)) arrived on the scene with natural, skin-safe products; and The Vault (284 King St., instagram.com/thevaultonking (opens in a new tab)) does double duty as a gallery and coworking space for female creatives.
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Photograph by Tiffany Mizzell Photography