Top Rated Shopping in Raleigh/Durham

DECO Raleigh is a gift shop that features the work of local artisans in pottery, prints, cards, jewelry, textiles and t-shirts. The art deco style sign out front leads to a storehouse of the artisan’s work and more, including postcards, prints, candles and anything one might need to make a unique gift. The store has a parklet out front for prime downtown seating, and hosts art-related events from time to time.

Opened in 1972, Crabtree Valley Mall is one the largest malls in the Southeastern United States, with 1,326,000 square feet (123,189 square meters) of over 200 shops and restaurants. Visitors will find an array of shopping options for gifts, furniture, toys, books, electronics, and clothing. A large food court with a handful of restaurants keeps shopper energy levels up. The mall hosts events geared toward visitors and the greater Raleigh community throughout the year.

This consummate wine shop founded by three friends and wine industry veterans offers an inviting atmosphere for wine purchasing and tasting. Wines from around the world are featured here, with an emphasis on traditional growing regions including France, Italy, and Portugal. The shop hosts weekly events and classes on the history of wines and particular growing regions. Wine lovers will be delighted at the shop’s attention to detail, but the emphasis on provisions besides wine, like sake, chocolate, and olive oil, adds a nice touch of versatility.

Enjoy the flurry and excitement at this market that specializes in selling local produce. Farm fresh fruits, vegetables, and other organic produce are easily available here. After sampling the many peaches, eggplants and tomatoes, one can also pick out a few colorful flowers for the garden or purchase bread, confections, and craft items that are sold by busy vendors offering bargains.

Escazu Artisan Chocolates is a “bean to bar”—the chocolate equivalent of “farm to table”—chocolate maker, with a shop and factory in the same location. The shop is notable for its small-scale artisan production, where chocolate beans imported from an organic farm in Venezuela are roasted and grinded on antique machinery using traditional methods. The chocolate here comes in creative blends of flavors, and a variety of thoughtful confections.

Once the home of the American Tobacco Company for which it is named, The American Tobacco Campus is now a flourishing urban center known for its restaurants, shops, art galleries, and theaters. The district consists of 17 restored historic structures built between 1874 and the 1950s, some in Italianate, Romanesque Revival, and Art Moderne styles. A marvel of urban renewal, the district is a pleasure to simply walk through.