A Guide to Shopping in Charlotte

Shopping in Charlotte is both a sport and a pastime. Alfresco spaces, specialty retailers, luxury department stores and antique outlets are treasure troves for checking off whatever is on your wish list. Browse through the selection of Charlotte’s go-to shopping hubs where you’ll find designer clothing, local shops, big-name brands, stylish accessories, home décor and more.

Traditional and Outlet Malls

SouthPark Mall

Neighborhood: SouthPark

Anchored by Nordstrom, Belk, Dillard’s, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus, stores range from high-end luxury, like Louis Vuitton and Alexander McQueen to LEGO and Pottery Barn. SouthPark Mall is a must-stop destination for the fashion-forward. This upscale Charlotte staple is also one of the region’s largest malls.

Carolina Place Mall

Area: Pineville

This 1.2 million-square-foot mall is located right outside of Charlotte and is anchored by Belk, JCPenney, Barnes & Noble and Dillard's. Carolina Place Mall is also home to many unique stores like Southern Lion, as well as Francesca's and Build-A-Bear Workshop. This shopping destination offers classic stores and unexpected retailers waiting to be explored.

Concord Mills

Area: Concord

A mix of traditional retailers, outlet stores and entertainment attractions make Concord Mills equal parts tourist attraction and super mall. It’s nearly 1.4 million square feet of retail therapy, conveniently located off I-85, just a mile from Charlotte Motor Speedway. In addition to getting a retail fix, visitors can also spend the day scoping out the underwater wonders at SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium.

Charlotte Premium Outlets

Area: Southwest Charlotte

With more than 100 outlet stores, Charlotte Premium Outlets has something for everyone. Retailers include Steve Madden, Coach Outlet, Nike Factory Store, Janie and Jack, Cole Haan and more. There are also a variety of restaurants and snack shops that allow you to refuel and get back to shopping.

Shopping Complexes

Atherton Mill and Market

Neighborhood: South End

Nestled among the hustle and bustle of South End, this reinvented mill space has been transformed to include some of the city’s most-coveted shops and restaurants, including Free People, Anthropologie, Sephora, Savory Spice Shop, Bonobos, Boem. Saturday mornings feature a farmers market, with other pop-up markets, classes and live music happening throughout the month.

Phillips Place

Neighborhood: SouthPark

This European-style outdoor mall offers high-end boutique apparel, like Marmi, Taylor, Richards & Conger and J. Crew; exquisite home furnishing havens, like RH Gallery; and upscale and casual dining options like RH Rooftop Restaurant. The pedestrian-friendly setup makes it a prime place for people watching.

Park Road Shopping Center

Neighborhood: Montford

One of Charlotte’s most historic shopping locales, Park Road Shopping Center features boutiques like Great Outdoor Provision Company, Julie’s Boutique and J. Crew Factory. Browse the aisles of Park Road Books or Blackhawk Hardware for unique finds and choose from upscale eateries like Osteria LuCa and CO, or lowkey eats like Shake Shack and Velvet Taco.

Birkdale Village

Area: Huntersville

A destination for shopping, dining, family fun and year-round events, the Main Street-esque Birkdale Village is an elevated experience for all to enjoy. Apricot Lane has feminine fashion covered while Jos. A Bank Clothiers is filled with high-end masculine finds. Treat yourself to dinner at Fin & Fino, grab pies from Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop and cheers to time well spent at Foxcroft Wine Co.

StoneCrest at Piper Glen

Area: Ballantyne

Shoppers will find national brands like Target, Chico’s and Soma, local shops and an array of dining options at this hub. Do a little retail therapy at Target, then stop by Dolce Lusso Salon & Day Spa for some pampering before catching a movie at Regal Cinemas.

Specialty Shops South Park

Neighborhood: South Park

Various retailers and great restaurants, like Williams-Sonoma, Ivy & Leo, Bedside Manor, Bricktop’s, Paco’s Tacos & Tequila and Toscana make up this open-air shopping experience nestled right across the street from SouthPark Mall.

Blakeney Town Center

Area: Ballantyne

Specialty shops and retail chain stores fill this upscale shopping center with clothing shops for men and women, home goods, entertainment, sports and fine dining. Look for Boem, lululemon, Lizard Thicket and more for fashionable finds. Open Rice, Chop’t Creative Salad Co. and Hazelnuts Creperie, among many others, for tasty bites.

Antique Malls

Sleepy Poet Antique Mall

Neighborhood: South Charlotte

For nearly 25 years, Sleepy Poet has been the pinnacle of Charlotte’s antique shopping experience. After expanding into a larger space, the antique mall covers more than 60,000 square feet with row after row of vendors of nearly any specialty imaginable. Bring the dog, grab a coffee at in-house The Poet’s Brew and spend a day among the aisles.

The Depot at Gibson Mill

Area: Concord

Located in a former textile plant, The Depot at Gibson Mill is home to more than 750 individual vendors and, at more than 80,000 square feet, The Depot is the largest antique mall in the southeastern United States. More than an antique mall, Cabarrus Brewing Co. and High Branch Brewing Co. are also housed within the mill, making The Depot at Gibson Mill an absolute must-visit shopping destination.

Article originally written by Cassie Townsend. Updates by Arielle Patterson in November 2025.