Winston-Salem Shopping Guide
An inside look at the city's best shopping districts, boutiques, and local gems.
Seek and ye shall find in Winston-Salem. Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind find or your favorite designer brands, you'll find plenty of places to indulge in some retail therapy. Come along as we dive into the best shopping spots Winston-Salem has to offer — and let the treasure hunt begin.
Reynolda Village
Just five minutes from downtown, Reynolda Village is a one-of-a-kind shopping destination that combines history, beauty, and a unique retail experience. The shopping village was once a working farm comprised of barns, stables, and other buildings that supported the Reynolda estate, home to tobacco baron R.J. Reynolds and his family. Today, these carefully repurposed structures house a variety of boutiques, restaurants, and service shops while maintaining the village's historical charm. Some can't-miss spots include:
- Monkees: Known for its chic selections, this high-end boutique offers the latest in women's fashion, shoes, and accessories. (If you need a dress for a special night out, this is your spot.)
- Half Past Three: Seeking stylish finds at the intersection of "college gal" and "cool mom"? This cozy boutique offers a curated collection of classic and trendy looks along with accessories, bath products, home decor, and more.
- McCall's: A Winston-Salem institution since 1926, McCall's offers timeless style for the whole family. Find children's apparel from newborn to size 6X, along with luxurious linens, thoughtful gifts, monogramming options, and more.
- Gazebo: A haven for luxury, this boutique caters to women seeking timeless elegance with designer clothing and accessories from the US and Europe.
- Norman Stockton: Steeped in local history, this century-old men's clothier provides quality clothing and accessories, from classic suits to modern sportswear, along with complimentary tailoring.
- The Bookhouse: This locally owned bookshop and community space is the perfect spot to kick back and relax with a good book, good friends, and your favorite glass of wine.
- Other favorites include J. McLaughlin, All Through the House, and Ringmaster Jewelers.
Downtown Arts District
Looking to shop outside the box? Head to the Downtown Arts District along Trade and Liberty streets — a lively hub of local galleries, studios and shops. Here are a few must-stops in the district:
- Mast General Store: Find your favorite outdoor brands, college gear and children’s toys — plus a sweet taste of nostalgia in the old-timey candy section.
- Fancy Groceries: Find men and women’s clothing offered under a few conditions: slow fashion, local manufacturing and made from only natural fibers. It’s an old concept that still fits.
- Visual Index: This Arts District staple is the only gallery in the country focused on representing makers from all 50 states. Inside you’ll find contemporary craft and fine art with prices are designed to fit any budget, ranging from $4 to $1,500.
- Body & Soul: Allow the aroma of incense to draw you into Body & Soul, an African boutique that has a wide array of hand-crafted African pieces, a cozy bookstore, and vibrant woven fashions. The Arts District mainstay has been in business over 20 years.
- Kin & Cottage: More than just a candle shop, Kin & Cottage is a sensory escape, offering a curated collection of comforting Southern scents from candles and wax melts to incense and body care. Another thing to love? 10% of profits go to local nonprofits.
- Major Tomm’s: When it comes to oddities, Major Tomm’s is unmatched. The shop offers an eclectic finds that includes vintage apparel, handmade jewelry, and some off-the-wall gift items.
- Piedmont Craftsmen Gallery: Purchase art ranging from jewelry and printmaking to leather and clay made from the hundreds of members of the Piedmont Craftsmen guild, founded in 1963.
Burke Street area (Downtown)
Venture beyond the main thoroughfares and discover the unique charm of Burke Street, a revitalized area brimming with local flavor. Forget cookie-cutter chains – here, independent shops reign supreme. Favorite spots in the area include:
- Trouvaille Home: A self-described maximalist, owner Anne Rokahr believes every room needs balance and tension — “balance of color, scale, texture and space and the tension between old and new, curves and corners, fine and accessible.” Her colorful décor does the trick.
- Camel City Goods: Sport an ultra-soft T-shirt while giving the world a fun history lesson — the popular design “happy together” shows when Winston and Salem joined in 1913.
- City Beverage: Established in 1946, this third-generation family shop seems to get better with age, providing a one-stop shop for NC craft beers, fine wines and homebrew supplies.
- Snob Shop: Since opening in 1974, this locally owned consignment shop has gained a reputation for its high-quality furniture, art, and clothing finds. It remains one of, if not THE most popular, consignment shops in town.
Thruway + Five Points (Stratford Road)
Winston-Salem’s first shopping center, Thruway Center boasts more than 45 popular restaurants and national stores, including Talbots, Sephora and Athleta. Here, you can also support local/regional shops like Hive Boutique, Southern Home & Kitchen, Vestique, and Great Outdoor Provision Co., plus pick a few baked goods from Dewey’s Bakery.
With Thruway as the catalyst, other neighboring shopping centers have sprouted in the area, each with a mix of local shops and national brands. This includes Stratford Village and Miller Street Market, where you’ll find everything from popular boutiques such as Gaia and Kim Taylor to standout specialty shops such as Ski & Tennis Station, Schiffman’s Jewelers, and home decor haven Fiddle & Figg (opening Fall 2024). And if you need more incentive to shop here, the flagship Krispy Kreme Doughnuts shop is also in the area, directly across from Thruway Center.
Reynolda Mile (West End)
Tucked along Reynolda Road adjacent to Hanes Park — just outside downtown — sits a colorful enclave of local shops we’ve dubbed the “Reynolda Mile” shopping district. Among the can’t-miss spots is Elizabeth’s at Hanes Park, a second haven filled with vintage furniture, antiques, home decor and assorted bric-a-brac. Other favorites in the Reynolda Mile area include consignment shop Yours Truly, children’s boutique Bella + James, and picker’s paradise Shabbytiques. Chic boutique shops like Rebecca & Co. and Primm’s are also nearby, adding some upscale oomph to the area. Award-winning bakeries, dive bars, and the city’s best gelato shop (Café Gelato) round out the offerings.
Hanes Mall Boulevard
Sometimes ya just got to make a Target run, right? You’ll find superstores galore along this 3-mile corridor in the western half of the city, with the occasional local gem mixed in. Hanes Mall Boulevard is anchored by — you guessed it — Hanes Mall, which celebrates 50 years in 2025. And while it’s not the retail empire it once was, it’s still among the largest and most viable shopping malls in the Southeast, with staples like H&M, Old Navy, Hot Topic, and GameStop among its 175+ tenants. Tucked along the brand names shops and warehouses are some locally owned treasure, including (such as Hippo Records, specialty shop Salem Creek, and local favorite McKAY'S, a mecca of used books, media, toys, and collectibles. (McKAY'S, aka Ed McKays, is just off Hanes Mall Boulevard on Jonestown Road.)