Girl Meets City: Savannah

Editor’s Note/Update for 2024: This was written just over ten years ago! I simply can’t believe it. But in looking over this post, I think the sentiment is still the same. Although I would expand this to note… I am now in my 40’s and women of any age are a powerful economic force. Influencer and travel marketing is now well established in such a way that it wasn’t when I first wrote this in 2014. So I think I’ll start planning now for another Girl Meets City Savannah- it wouldn’t be exactly  ten years since we are past  January 7th, 2024. But perhaps sometime this year! Enjoy!

Girls Meets City is a project that I have been thinking of doing for a few years now, but couldn’t really quite come up with exactly the idea behind why I, a young, professional, female, would be travelling to cities and towns throughout the Southeastern United States- and then it hit me- why not?

It’s my own opinion that ladies of my age, late 20’s to 30’s, are a powerful economic force. And the Southern Belle even more so: Southern women are strong whether they are stay at home mothers, CEO’s leading a company or even starting their own small businesses.

I am also a big believer in supporting small businesses themselves, and that they are really at the heart of our Southern culture. I wanted to travel to many different Southern towns to really look at their culture from the perspective of a Southern lady, of my age or close to it, and the explore what these ladies might really want to know about these town- what the hot spots are and what to do and see in regards to food, décor, relaxation and of course- shopping as well. So it only makes sense to kick off this project in Savannah.

Savannah: a town wrapped in the mystique of Spanish Moss laden oaks, Southern Belle lore, and historic homes meeting head on with a modern foodie mecca, a quickly growing fashion scene and cutting edge educational opportunities.

Savannah is a town that I have often thought had I gone to college here, as I thought I would when I was a child, might have lured me away from my current home to set down roots amongst the ancient Georgia oaks of this states oldest city.

I have my own roots here, with my grandfather’s family coming to Savannah from whence they originally came in St. Augustine- America’s oldest European colony. My ancestors would come to Savannah, have their babies baptized in Christ Episcopal Church (as was my grandfather’s grandmother), and settle down for a piece before moving on to the fall line city of Macon.

My curiosity of Savannah was recently raised again when I had the chance to play the role of a descendant of an original Savannah settler in Riverside Cemetery’s “Sprits in October” fundraiser. So I partnered with friend, graphic designer and photographer Melody Munn to take a day trip to Savannah and see it through the eyes of a local. Melody is from Savannah, and her parents still reside there, and she served as my photographer and guide for this venture.

When travelling to Savannah, I would highly recommend staying at the 17hundred90 Inn, you can walk to River Street should you choose and there are even rumors of a ghost on the premises. Given that the building’s construction was started in the very year that Savannah’s government was first formed (1790- if you hadn’t guessed already) I’d say it’s a rather easy choice to come here for a true authentic Savannah experience. “We are locally, family-owned and we do our best to make all of our guests feel like part of the family.  Our tavern is a great hangout for locals who are always happy to share stories and must-do spots around town,” said owner Patrick Godley.

We would stop for coffee and breakfast at Goose Feather’s, having this lovely croissant with cheese and scrambled eggs alongside their Southern Pecan coffee- brewed fresh as if it were just for us. ” Goose Feather’s has the most amazing breakfast that is made to order. Pastries change every day, and their bacon, egg, and cheese croissants are my favorite! Great Portions,” said Melody.

The Savannah Bee Company is a shop that I am very familiar with, just because they have fantastic marketing both inside of Savannah and out. But I had never actually been inside of it. They have a honey bar where you can taste all of the different types of honey. I frankly never really realized how much that little bee could do! (With the assistance of really smart humans, of course.) The thing I was most struck by was the coffee. I have to have cream and sugar at the very least in my coffee- and if we can add some chocolate flavor that’s good too. But I was able to drink this straight- er- black without anything added. I’ve never been able to do that before. Even espresso, when I drink it alone, I literally have to shoot it like a liquor shot just to get in down. I think it’s common knowledge that coffee is best without all the stuff added, so for me this is a great option to have.

Melody would tell me that even though her family lives here, they still visit rather often: “Whether you are out of town or a local, savannah bee company probably has something in your home if you have visited. Their tupelo honey is so amazing in tea and on biscuits!”

Next of course was shopping at Paris Market- and more coffee here of course. I was struck by this shop- it reminded me of a European store but at the same time a classic American South boutique that had a little of everything. An adorable coffee shop, vintage jewelry, nearly every coffee table book you can think of- and a home section downstairs that made me want to redecorate my own home from top to bottom. Melody adds “”Simply the best store. Very nostalgic walking around, the smells, the scenery, the coffee, everything has this timeless sense that makes you feel like you could be walking around Paris in the 50s or before. Very rustic, vintage, antique, and everything wonderful from vintage jewelry to vintage candy and furniture. Also, their coffee bar serves amazing drinks. Particularly a hot caramel latte and a white forest Mochas.”

We continued down Broughton when a sign would stop me, and the sign said “TIBI” among other things. I really don’t even remember except that I immediately had to turn around and go inside. You might recall my saying in the past that Tibi is like my crack and I am obsessed, so whenever I run across a store that carries it I kind of have to go in. Copper Penny Savannah, I would learn, is a small family owned chain of stores headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina. The manager was just so kind and helpful. I even felt like she was channeling Julie from Karats and Keepsakes as she insisted the dress I was trying on was too big. (Julie fusses at me about this all the time and has to literally talk me down to the right size.) And she was right of course- just like Julie. I had to come away with this amazing silk dress with a Mandarin collar and slits on either side. I can’t wait to wear this out sometime! “Lovely brands and always pleasant ladies working! You will most likely meet the owners sweet dog as well!”

Gaucho has been open for business in Savannah for 25 years- and they even have two locations. We stopped in the one on Broughton, but they have another location on Bull Street with convenient free parking behind the store for those in a hurry- according to their website. They had the most amazing fur pieces in there, like nothing I have ever seen. There was one yellow colored one that I am still obsessing over. Still. “Gaucho has very unique and artsy pieces for any trend setter. They are the type of store you would go to, to look that unique to make your outfit pop!”

Now, I’m not big in to vintage clothing really because I think I haven’t been in many good vintage stores. Civvies’ has everything from newer clothing to true blue vintage items- even umbrellas and luggage! “One of my favorites since High School. You can find new & recycled clothes as well as “authentically” vintage clothes, not just the “vintage-looking” like you will find mass-produced at Urban Outfitters. Definitely comparable and amazing prices,” said Melody.

Civvie’s owner, Robin Reeder, also told me that people visiting Savannah should come in to her store because “many big cities have recycled clothing stores and vintage clothing shops but we unfortunately only have Civvies, although there are some antique malls around town that do have some vintage booths.  I travel the country constantly hand picking clothing for Civvies. [We have] a collection of Florida 80’s beachwear, 90’s fashions, and some amazing southwestern styles found all the way in Arizona.  A collection of clothing that cannot be missed while strolling down Broughton Street.”

Then I came to what I hope my home and office will look like someday- everything you could think of for home or office is here. I’m talking about 24e. There is even an old elevator that you can ride in. This is what the quintessential modern Southern Belle needs: a furniture and décor store with both the modern and classic. “If you are looking for that unique piece of furniture or someone to help you with Interior design, there is no other fresh, chic, and modern design store in Savannah that is comparable to 24e. Just walking around on both of their floors will get you having inspirational ideas for every room of your home!”

Then it was time for the next coffee stop of the day- are we on number four now? I’ve lost track. Anyways, The Coffee Fox is just uber cool. It’s not just a coffee bar but they have beer as well. I got the Café Cubano- a sweetened double shot of espresso. I drink coffee like it’s water, really I do, and yes I do drink espresso usually rather quickly, but this both kicked my ass and left me begging for more. It’s the perfect fix for when you need a break in the afternoon. “The most legit mocha and espressos. Savannah local roaster, Phillip Brown, who is the owner of PERC coffee, locally brews their coffee. You know who he is if you are a coffee drinker in Savannah.”

While at The Coffee Fox I made use of my time by referring to Savannah’s own Savannah Magazine: an excellent resource for those both visiting or even moving to the area.

Now- more shopping!!! I’m both thankful and wanting to kill Melody for taking me in here because I. Cannot. Get. This snakeskin print dress out of my damn head. The owner Tara must have sensed that I have this thing for one-of-a-kind-about-to-be-gone-forever-items because of course she told me it’s the only one of it’s kind. The particular designer only makes only one of each item. And it can take designer Lotta Stensson anywhere between 5 and 6 days or hell even more to make a dress. Tara tells me “the hand making processes vary from hand batik to block prints and hand screen printing, all using old techniques.” Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. I want it so bad. And Tara is super fun also- love her spunky spirit. Melody adds that Custard is “the ultimate party and pizazz attire boutique. If you are looking to stand out in a crowd, or be the life of the party, or have the most talked about dress, or even have a uniquely one of a kind dress or jewelry, this is the place to shop! The owner, Tara, is a friend of mine, and she is even more rad than her amazing clothes!”

Tara would also tell me that “Custard exists to meet a middle ground in boutique price points, as well as bring handmade, unique items to Savannah.  Custard has a focus of eco friendly items, and the store was opened using many found items, eco paint, recycled papers [and more].  Overall Custard wants to provide something for every woman, no matter their style, budget or shape.” Hey Tara- if by some miracle you still have that snakeskin print dress let’s chat, shall we?

BleuBelle Boutique- this is the store that I told Melody we had to go in for sure and of course she agreed with me. Owner Heather is someone I met when we were both in college before she even opened BleuBelle. In fact she told me at that time she was considering opening in Savannah or even Statesboro. How fortunate for Savannah that she choose this town! She is also one of the masterminds behind Savannah Fashion Week, which I am planning to return for. This place reinforces my recent obsession with the color cobalt blue- especially the native Savannah based designer Kathryn Hayes of Mix Julep’s Angel silk dress and the Ema Savahl gown. In fact I did some research of Ema Savahl and I cannot find any other stores in the Southeast, except South Florida, that carry this amazing line.

And don’t even get me started on BleuBelle Bridal. If I ever get married again I’m going to have a freaking field day in that store. “BleuBelle is for the sophisticated, classy, hard working woman! Their clothes are so classic and yet fun and chic at the same time! Absolutely the best place to go for a beautiful cocktail party dress or special event dress as well! Their Bridal Boutique next store is number one in my book as well!”

So finally we took a break from all the shopping for a late lunch/work session at Foxy Loxy Café, the parent location of The Coffee Fox. Every busy woman has to have a place they can both eat a healthy hearty lunch, grab- yes, again- a coffee and catch up on some work. Because we all know Southern Belle’s are the hardest working and best looking ladies. “The Best Print Gallery & Cafe in Savannah, also the absolute best freshly made tacos! The older sister to The Coffee Fox, both brew the same coffee from their local Savannah Roaster. Very relaxing atmosphere. When you need to get something done, but don’t want to go to a place where all you can eat is pastries and sip on coffee, then you will love that you can get actual, amazing meals, and having your computer out at the dinner table is completely normal!”

The last stop of the day was to see the very dear Courtney Victor at Glow MedSpa. This is another young lady I met while living in Athens, right around the same time I met Heather. Serendipitous, don’t you think? Let me tell you, Glow has got it going on. I found my miracle mascara here!!! No lie I mean I have like, zero lashes. Even with mascara they don’t really do anything for me and then the mascara always crumbles under my eyes. And speaking of lashes, this is where you Savannah ladies must go for the Novalash extensions. It’s a super easy, albeit a little bit long, procedure to have the only FDA approved lash extensions put on lash by lash. It’s a delicate procedure for the person applying them, but Mischa is a pro. I also went ahead and had my eyebrows waxed and shape while here and I might seriously have to make the two and a half hour drive every so often to come back for both of those items. I’m not even joking. And let’s be honest, every Belle has to have a place she can trust for anything from makeup applications to Botox to anything you can think of to make you look your best. Glow is the only spot I could ever trust in Savannah to do this for me. “Has one of the sweetest ladies as the owner, Courtney, and the best services from messages, to waxes, eyebrow extensions, to getting all dolled up for a wedding, event, or date!”

Well ladies and gents, this about wraps up our debut feature of Girl Meets City, featuring Savannah, Georgia. I would absolutely stand behind any of these businesses for my own shopping, eating (with a side of work here and there), home décor and gifting needs. This is everything a Southern Belle, or really any Belle, visiting Savannah could need on a visit or while living here. Savannah may not be my home but I am considering adopting her, if the Spanish Moss draped squares of antiquity would welcome me back- straying from the roots my ancestors left for me so long ago. Perhaps you will find your home here as well.

Love to all y’all!!!

Molly

If you would like to trace our steps through Savannah, take a peek at the links below:

17hundred90 Inn
www.17hundred90.com

Goose Feather’s
www.goosefeatherscafe.com

The Paris Market
www.theparismarket.com

Savannah Bee Company
www.savannahbee.com

Copper Penny
www.shopcopperpenny.com

Gaucho
www.gauchosavannah.com

Civvies
www.civviesclothes.com

24e.
www.24estyle.com

The Coffee Fox
www.thecoffeefox.com

Custard Boutique
www.custardboutique.bigcartel.com

BleuBelle Boutique
www.bleubelle.com

Foxy Loxy Cafe
www.foxyloxycafe.com

Glow Medical Spa + Beauty Boutique
www.glowsavannah.com

Photos:

Opening photos of Savannah by Watch Molly Shoot.

Photo of interior of 17hundred90 Inn courtesy of 17hundred90 Inn.

All other photos by Melody Joy Designs.