Queen City Shopping

Sour on Southpoint? Finding Uniquities to be less than unique? If you're looking for a nouveau venue to indulge your purchasing pleasures, perhaps you should give Charlotte the old college try. Few people realize that Charlotte is the second-largest banking center in the States after New York, and with those Southern greenbacks come a few unexpected delights.

First, there's Phillips Place, an oasis of luxury for those girls who are accustomed to a little haute couture cool with their carrier bags. Bamboo Apothecary is the boutique that must not be missed, stocking all of those hot beauty and primping products you rarely see beyond the pages of InStyle. Fresh (the store, not the adjective, numbscle) is the place for those seeking Uniquities consolation; however, although the fashions are chic, they are also expensive and are only flattering on those who fit comfortably in a size six or smaller.

But fear not, there's more.

Across the street from Phillips Place, South Park Mall boasts all the same storefronts as Southpoint except for one vital addition: Tiffany's. Yes, a Gothic girl can make her Holly Golightly dreams come true simply by cruising the two-hour stretch to Charlotte--and by winning the nonexistent North Carolina State Lottery, of course.

Don't feel like indulging on a girl's best friend? Then, the area around the North Davidson, or "NoDa," section of Charlotte is for you. Girls who understand that the true pleasure in shopping lies in that rare find that leaves all other girls panting will enjoy bobbing and weaving through the galleries and boutiques that populate this artistic niche of the city.

Let the hunt for that next party ensemble begin!