Move over, Buckhead! The sister communities of Roswell, Alpharetta and Cumming along the Hospitality Highway of State Route 400 have grown to become a shopaholic’s paradise in the last twenty years. From luxury finds to local wares, you will find something for everyone on your “Nice List” in this stylish shopping mecca. Check out some of our favorite shops and centers for the holidays and well into the New Year.
- Avalon
This sustainably designed 86-acre community includes more than 570,000 square feet of retail, a 12-screen theater, and a full-service hotel, just in case you shop ‘til you literally drop! Boasting unique and high-end retailers like Chanel, Free People, Lululemon, Peter Millar, Orvis, Rolex, Tecovas, Williams Sonoma, Whole Foods and Urban Outfitters, just to name a few, you will definitely find a little something for everyone here. Plus, in the winter, Avalon has an ice-skating rink, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the season. Be sure to check out the Makers Market Holiday Market on Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Santa will be at Avalon through Christmas Eve. Looking to make a holiday shopping weekend out of it? Santa Tuck-Ins are available at The Hotel at Avalon through Dec. 23. experienceavalon.com
- Historic Roswell Canton Street
Charm personified into a Southern promenade, Canton Street in Historic Roswell is rife with sidewalk cafes, restaurants, local boutiques, antiques and galleries. The popular festival Alive in Roswell, which takes place on the third Thursday of each month, is on hiatus in the winter, but the shopping is still as great as ever. Check out Linen & Flax Home and charming boutiques like Ivy Lala and Belle⏐Mode. Roswell is known to be very dog-friendly, so dog lovers will definitely need to treat themselves to a stop at The Downtown Pooch, a specialty pet boutique located in the heart of downtown Roswell. visitroswellga.com
- Halcyon Forsyth and The Collection
These trendy shopping districts in Cumming carry some fun shopping destinations in an outdoor market setting. Halcyon boasts especially unique retailers like women’s boutiques Willow Jane for women’s apparel, accessories, and gifts, as well as Nina + Leigh or Lizard Thicket for on-trend apparel shopping. Piggy Jo’s is the place to go for children’s toys and kids’ clothing, and don’t miss BBQ Guys, the largest e-commerce retailer of grills and outdoorkitchens. Halcyon also hosts the ever-popular Trader Joe’s with their discount wine and fun food finds. Be sure to check Halcyon’s events calendar this season for a variety of fun entertainment options, such as live music, festivals, and more. visithalcyon.com
The Collection at Forsyth offers an outdoor shopping experience as well, supporting some of America’s favorite retailers such as Soma, Talbot’s, Versona, White House Black Market, Sephora, Sunglass Hut, Altar’d State, Academy Sports, Barnes & Noble, Build-a-Bear Workshop and local Cumming favorite Parsons Gifts, which was established in the community in 1925 by the local Parson family. collectionforsyth.com
- Alpharetta City Center
This mixed-use shop, eat, live, work and relax community in Downtown Alpharetta has really blossomed over the last decade into the quintessential shopping and entertainment destination in the area. From live music events to fabulous food, and, of course, shopping! Check out Star’s Hat and Jewelry Bar, Anna Bella Fine Lingerie, Kilwins chocolates, Hemline, Perched and modern outfitter Magnolia Moon. We particularly enjoy Spirited, a boho chic, high fashion boutique with handcrafted jewelry, and Southern Local for its unique selection of locally sourcedproducts with a Southern flair. Be sure to check out Snow Day at the ACC on Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,where you are sure to see “snow” falling in Alpharetta, no matter the forecast. citycenteralpharetta.com
- Raiford Gallery
Just off Canton St. in Historic Roswell, this exquisite art gallery owned by Judie Raiford has been a staple in the Atlanta-area art scene since 1996. Raiford is a master metalsmith with 50 years’ experience. Her jewelry studio is located onsite, along with her curated collection of fellow artists featuring jewelry, pottery, artwork, sculptures,and accessories. 1159 Canton, St. raifordgallery.com
- Alpharetta Outfitters
This full-service fly shop is a real outdoorsman (or woman’s) dream! Offering gear for both novice and experienced anglers, plus apparel, clinics and guided trips, Alpharetta Outfitters has a little something for every nature-lover. The store is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but on Sundays, sorry, they’ve gone fishing! alpharettaoutfitters.com
- The Drake Closet
With locations in Alpharetta, Roswell, and Sandy Springs, this local favorite sells new and used ladies’ clothing, shoes, and accessories at amazing prices. But we haven’t said the best thing yet: the proceeds from your purchase support The Drake House, which helps women and children experiencing homelessness achieve economic independence and long-term stability. Check out the Alpharetta location on 200 South Main Street, Suite 100, and the Roswell location at 408 Atlanta Street, Suite 157. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. thedrakehouse.org
- The Twisted Thread and The Couture Consigner
Looking for premium consignment? Then the Twisted Thread at 12660 Crabapple Road in Milton and The Couture Consigner at 488 N Main St., Suite 105 in Alpharetta are your spots. Both claim to be the No. 1 upscale consignment location in town, but we’ll let you decide. The luxury and designer items at Twisted Thread include apparel, shoes handbags, jewelry, and sunglasses. You’ll commonly find Prada, Gucci, Tory Birch, Chanel, Coach, Chloe, Louis Vuitton, Christian Louboutin, Versace, and more. The Couture Consigner offers apparel, shoes, handbags, and jewelry with top designers like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, and Manolo Blahnik. Shopping at high-end consignment stores is always a shopping adventure that changes with every visit. Enjoy the hunt!thetwistedthreadconsignment.com, coutureconsigner.com
- La Bella Maison
Found in historic Downtown Alpharetta, owner Lisa Baggett of Le Bella Maison carefully curates special products and brands that will ensure you have a unique and inspiring shopping experience. From apparel, home decor and apothecary, to gifts and books, you’ll find something for that special someone or maybe even just to pamper yourself. You’re worth it! 20 Milton Ave., Alpharetta. labellamaison.com
- Clothes Horse
For men and the women who love them, you simply must check out Clothes Horse in the heart of downtown Alpharetta. This store is a haven for discerning men seeking the finest in business casual apparel and unique gifts. The store, which was opened in 2015 by owner Charleen Thompson, has won the prestigious “Best of North Atlanta Boutique” award for seven consecutive years. 28 Milton Ave., Alpharetta. clotheshorseapparel.com
- Von Maur and Northpoint Mall
This department store retailer located at Northpoint Mall in Alpharetta knows how to do Christmas Shopping in style. We highly recommend shopping at Von Maur for the holidays for three big reasons: attentive, helpful staff, live holiday piano music and FREE GIFT WRAPPING on all your purchases. It’s like shopping with a Christmas elf on retainer. Also check out Northpoint Mall’s bevy of retailers, such as Dillard’s, Macy’s, JCPenney and specialty retailers like Ann Taylor, Aerie, American Eagle Outfitters, H&M, My Toy Chest, The Slime Factory, Build-A-Bear and Zumiez. vonmaur.com; northpointmall.com
- Westside Market Roswell
Offering an eclectic and locally curated collection of a wide variety of unique products, Westside Market in Roswell is truly an experience in shopping. Here you will find new and vintage furnishings, home décor, original art, handmade rugs, jewelry, and gifts. 606 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell. westsidemarket.com
- Frontgate Outlet
For those who love luxury items at a discount, you will want to check out the Frontgate Outlet Store on Holcomb Bridge in Roswell. I have been shopping at this store for years, and there is no better time than the holidays to findamazing holiday décor from Frontgate (and its sister store Grandin Road), as well as luxurious accessories for home and bath. Here you will find a mix of current catalog items, as well as overstocked, out-of-season and scratch-and-dent merchandise. I love their towels, linens and bathrobes at 40-70 percent off catalog prices! Located in Kings Market at 1425 Market Blvd., Roswell. frontgate.com
- Painted Tree Boutiques
An artistic community of thousands of shop owners from across the nation, Painted Tree Boutiques is a shopping experience like no other. Here you will find gifts, fashion, décor, and so much more, all under one roof. 4651 Woodstock Road, Suite 150, Roswell. paintedtree.com.
- Queen of Hearts
Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors offers the largest collection of antique malls in North Georgia. The Alpharetta location at 670 Main Street is open seven days a week and is chock full of fun finds. Dream it, and they have it: vintage, antique, and new furniture, sports memorabilia, lighting, home décor, and so much more, with new merchandise arriving daily. Their 33.3K Instagram following can’t be wrong. queenofheartsantiques-interiors.com
