When you get time for shopping on St. Simons Island you’ll find a wide array of boutique shops, art galleries, home decor, outfitters and specialty foods. There are no big box stores here – just small to medium sized mostly locally owned stores with small town flavor.
We can’t possibly list all of the retailers on the island, but we can highlight a few in each of the main shopping districts. Do yourself a favor, though. Get out there and explore. You’ll find some amazing spots that are off the beaten path, or tucked in next to a larger, better known shop. Keep your eyes open.
Walk in, introduce yourself and tell the shop keeper where you’re from. Chances are you’ll not only find some treasures but you’ll make a new friend.
Shopping, restaurants and things to do are some of the many reasons St. Simons Island is one of the top 6 Small Towns in Coastal Georgia for Retirement.
The shopping districts of St. Simons
The Village
Considered “downtown St. Simons Island” the village is the few blocks along Mallery Street that lead to the pier, and a few blocks leading off of Mallery, including Ocean Blvd. In this area you’ll find many of the best restaurants on St. Simons, as well as a wide variety of retail shops.
The stores range from your typical beach style shops with T shirts, swimsuits, flip flops, etc. to higher end apparel, and everything in between. There are art galleries, specialty food shops, home accessories and decor and the newly revamped bait shop.
The village is extremely walkable, so just park your car and go! Besides shopping you’ll find several of the best breakfast spots on St. Simons and one of our favorite places to stay.
By no means a complete list but a few of the shops we frequent and can recommend in the village when shopping on St. Simons Island:
- Rahab’s Rope – shopping with a purpose. We believe fiercely in their mission. Their website reads “Rahab’s Rope exists to empower women and children in the fight against human trafficking. 100% of the profits from product sales fund the mission.”
- Savannah Bee Company – All things honey and St. Simons is the hometown of the founder.
- Tonya’s Treasures – Trendy boutique apparel + great home decor and gift items
- SSI Bait & Tackle – Family owned and now being run by a new generation
- Live Oak Shop – Located in the Welcome Center this is a great spot to find RSM Class golf gear plus a wide variety of items that feature local artists.
- Hope’s Boutique – Trendy women’s apparel
Insiders tip: Yes, the official name of this area is Pier Village. If you want to sound like a local though – you’ll just call it “the village“.
Redfern Village
Redfern is on Frederica Road just past the roundabout of Frederica and Demere as you’re going north. It’s spread out and eclectic offering a walkable experience for eating (one of our favorite seafood spots is here), entertainment and shopping.
You won’t find beachy sunscreen and flip flop shops here. What you will find is a book store with attached coffee shop, women’s apparel, art galleries, home decor, jewelry and more. A few favorites are listed, but come explore for yourself.
- Tina Stephens – packable travel apparel for women
- GoGo Jewelry – designed by well known Cumberland Island native GoGo Ferguson everything here is inspired by items she finds in nature.
- Poppy’s of Macon – home decor shop long loved in Macon, Georgia, is now in Redfern Village on St. Simons Island
- Righton Books is a great book store that hosts author talks frequently and has a connected coffee shop, Jittery Joe’s
- Two Friends a boutique with women’s apparel, lots of awesome gift items and home decor.
Planning a trip to St. Simons Island? Start here for all the basic information you’ll need to get started. This is St. Simons Island At a Glance.
Ocean Blvd.
Not an official shopping district the intersection of Ocean Blvd. and Arnold Road is an area the old-timers called Crab Corners. Several of our favorite restaurants on St. Simons are here as are a few interesting shops.
This is an area you want to walk to if you’re staying at the King & Prince Hotel or Hotel Simone – two of the spots we recommend in the Places to Stay at St. Simons article.
There are just a few shops and we’ve got the majority of them listed below:
- Pane in the Glass – a gift shop of unique handmade glass items
- Driftwood Soap – handmade soaps and skin care
- Ocean Motion – apparel for the active lifestyle
- Uncle Don’s Local Market East Beach – the small version of the much loved market on Frederica Road
- East Beach Yoga – a studio offering yoga on the beach as well as active wear
Shops at Sea Island
Located at the intersection of Sea Island Road and Frederica Road is this strip center. In spite of the name it is actually on St. Simons. The Shops at Sea Island is the home of one of the island’s two grocery stores as well as several restaurants. A few of the shops are listed below, but you should visit and check them all out.
- Vineyard Vines – upscale but casual apparel
- G.J. Ford Bookshop
- Whippersnapper Toys – they have a great selection for all ages
- J.M. McLaughlin – ladies apparel and accessories
- Cloister Collection – ladies apparel and accessories
- Chico’s – well known and reliable chain of women’s apparel
- Talbots – another classic franchise for women’s clothes
Not in the Shops at Sea Island but close by are two favorites that you won’t want to miss. Bullington is a men’s shop featuring clothing and leather items. Porch + Patio is deceiving from the outside because it looks so small. Their shop and patio are full of unique ideas for the home and they are dealers of awesome outdoor furniture. (update – Porch + Patio has now moved to Redfern Village)
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Currently planning a trip? Here are some helpful resources:
- Find the best hotel options here.
- Book the cheapest flight here.
- Find tons of tours and activities here.
- Book your rental car here.
More articles about St. Simons Island & the surrounding area
- Best Happy Hour Spots at St. Simons
- Where to Play Golf at St. Simons
- St. Simons Island Beach Guide
- Best Bars on St. Simons
- Fun Things to Do in Brunswick Ga
- Your Guide to Driftwood Beach at Jekyll Island
- Places to Stay at Sea Island
- Eat Like a Local (here’s where we take friends and family when they visit)
- Coastal Georgia Road Trip Itinerary
- St. Simons is one of the 15 Must Visit Barrier Islands Off the Coast of Georgia.
- See how the St. Simons beaches measure up in Georgia Beaches Ranked by a Local
- St. Simons Island Things to Do
- Fall Events in Coastal Georgia
- What to Eat along Georgia’s Coast: Dishes You Need to Try
- Walkable Places to Stay: St. Simons Island
- Bike Rental Guide
- St. Simons Island Day Trip from Savannah: A Local’s Guide
- Dog Friendly Beaches in Coastal Georgia
- The Best Date Night Spots on St. Simons Island
I believe Chico’s and Talbot’s should be in your listing for women’s clothing. They are respected and well known to women. Not everyone has time to browse boutique stores esp if they are in a hurry to purchase an article of clothing. Women know the merchandise at these two stores and what they’ll likely find.
A valid point, Donna – thanks! These two have been added.