This past weekend I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with good friends partaking in a holiday jaunt to Savannah. (Felicity note: I live in Beaufort County which is centrally located between Charleston and Savannah and depending where you reside it can take as little as thirty minutes and at most an hour to make the drive to Savannah.) For this particular jaunt we left at 12 noon, were parked in Savannah by 12:45 pm, departed Savannah at 5:00 pm and we were home in time for cocktails by 6 pm.

The festivities began with lunch at Pacci Italian Kitchen and Bar (www.paccisavannah.com) located in The Brice Hotel (www.bricehotel.com) is one of the Klimpton Hotels and one of Savannah’s newest historic boutique hotels. If you like the crispness of black and white environments you will love the décor. The lobby music selections shout “hip and fun”! The hotel is located at the corner of E. Bay and Houston Streets. The entrance is on Houston Street.  (Felicity note: There is a parking garage right across the street. We valet parked the car and only had to pay $7 to parking.)

After a wonderful meal complete with holiday drinks (Felicity note: The Bloody Mary drink is served with a side of light lager to tickle the taste buds) and a stop to hang wishes on the Wishing Tree (in the hotel lobby) we headed out to walk and shop Broughton Street.

A short walk around Washington Square and our excursion began. (Felicity note: During the many years of past visits to Savannah Broughton Street has not been the focus of my trips; however, in recent years Broughton Street is undergoing a fairly significant transformation. As a result many new shops have arrived and are worth a browse).

The list of those shops (compliments of Cheryl, my dear and informed friend) that should not to be missed, and that we thoroughly enjoyed, are:

Brick Art Store (www.dickblick.com) a place where every possible art supply need can be met.  The creative energy was palpable.  The staff upbeat and very helpful.  All was positive and ripe with possibility.  I was swept away with memories of days past when I would block print my holiday cards.  It didn’t take me long to find the block printing tools and stationary. (Felicity note to self: Tinker with the idea of creating and offering note cards.)   I also found and purchased a box of CHEERS “pop open” cards to include in my holiday packages.

Leopold’s Ice Cream (www.leopoldsicecream.com) is an ice cream lover’s dream come true.  (Felicity note:  Be prepared to stand in line and pay cash for your order).  The store is an historic landmark (95 year old business) and is currently owned by Stratton Leopold, a Hollywood film producer.   Movie memorabilia abounds.  Mr. Stratton has produced lots of movies including Mission Impossible III (2006) and The Wolfman (2010).  (Felicity note: Try the homemade tomato soup with a side grilled cheese sandwich followed by a hot fudge sundae.  Yum!)

The Paris Market & Brocante (www.theparismarket.com) is supremely eclectic and wonderful!  The bakery and café beckon you to sit and relax your tired feet!  The lovely chandeliers, handmade artisan jewelry, vintage and eclectic dinnerware and lovely home furnishings are artfully presented and create an inviting tableau (I learned this work from an art friend!) that display a treasure-trove of global goodies.  (Felicity note:  Be sure to visit the area downstairs.)

The Salt Table (www.salttable.com), rated #1 by Trip Advisor and located very near the corner of Broughton and Bernard Street offers salt in many forms and flavors and other foods and kitchen accessories.  (Felicity note: Beware of the hot chili salt.  One tiny crystal was enough to set my mouth on fire!)  They offer fresh popped corn to use for your tasting enjoyment.

Nourish (www.nourish.com) is all about made by hand soaps, bath balms, room sprays and other niceties.

Villa Savannah (www.shopvillasavannah.com) a clothing and home accessories store is beautifully decorated with many one of a kind items.  They had the loveliest holiday trees.

Dept7East (www.dept7east.com) is a relatively new addition to Broughton Street.  Offering a menu ripe with locally produced and seasonal ingredients, including craft beers, this restaurant is part boutique market and rustic bar.  The décor is very appealing and welcoming.  We did not partake of the menu but it is definitely on the list for the next jaunt.

The round trip tour of Broughton Street took approximately three hours. We headed back to The Brice Hotel to get the car and made our way to Whitaker Street for the next not to be missed stop.

One Fish, Two Fish (www.onefishstore.com).  This store sits on the corner of Jones and Whitaker.  (Felicity note: Jones Street is beautiful with mature trees, a brick cobbled streetscape and historic row houses resplendent with the requisite porches and wrought iron filigree.  I was told that the saying “keeping up the Joneses” began on this very street.)  One Fish, Two Fish has come far from its humble beginnings when I made my first visit sixteen years ago.  Formerly a bit quirky and artsy, the shop today offers refined gifts and personal items including a room dedicated to Spartina449 (www.spartina449.com), a company born and growing on Daufuskie Island in the Lowcountry,  as well as other locally made candles, jewelry and home accessories.

Although the original plan included a visit the new Cotton Sail Hotel (next to The Bohemian) on the Savannah River, that will have to wait until the next jaunt.

There is much to see and experience in Savannah. The shops mentioned above tickled my fancy and were a new experience for me. What was most impressive to me is that each of th shops we visited are independently owned and operated and represent the entrepreneur’s passion to create a unique and stylish offering. In doing so they offer a joyful experience worth a visit.

(Felicity note: It is necessary to say that my impressions and comments represent only my opinions.)