Looking for the best shopping centers to support local businesses in Winston-Salem? These are our top five picks!

Winston-Salem has various shopping options for fashion, art, antiques, vintage finds, and local crafts. Unlike most mid and large-size cities, Winston-Salem’s shopping centers aren’t exclusive to major retailers. Although you can still find all the run-of-the-mill chain retailers, like Target, Trader Joe’s, Costco, HomeGoods, and Ulta, many of Winston’s shopping meccas offer ample local opportunities. Here are our top five shopping centers to check out, along with our favorite locally-owned stores for each, in Winston-Salem, NC:

Downtown

Winston-Salem’s downtown has shops spread throughout, including the Arts District, also known as the Downtown Arts District, on Trade Street. The Arts District is a vibrant area of downtown known for its thriving arts scene, galleries, and unique shopping experiences. If you’re looking for art and eclectic shops in Winston-Salem, the Downtown Arts District is where you must go. Outside art galleries and artisan shops in the Arts District, you’ll find various other shops throughout Winston-Salem’s downtown, including numerous specialty vintage stores, a general store (anything but general), a bookstore, and boutique and gift shops. 

Check out Living in Winston-Salem’s article on Five Unique Art Galleries in Winston-Salem.

Living in Winston-Salem’s Top Picks for Shopping in Downtown

• Body & Soul – Boutique, skincare, aromatherapy, books, and gallery shop
• Bookmarks – Bookstore
• Design Archives – Vintage and handmade gift store
• Happy Hour Vintage – Vintage clothing store
• Just Be – Gift, jewelry, and clothing store
• Mast General Store – Food, apparel, and outdoor gear shop
• Off the Rack – Curated vintage clothing store
• Still Grimey – Vintage clothing store
• Wood & Thread Boutique – Women’s clothing store

Reynolda Village

Reynolda Village is next t to the Reynolda Estate, once the country home of R.J. Reynolds, founder of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. The village preserves the historic charm of the estate’s former farm buildings, so it’s a lovely setting to enjoy a day of shopping. Keep in mind that most shops in Reynolda Village are upscale.

Living in Winston-Salem’s Top Picks for Shopping in Reynolda Village

• All Through the House – Home decor store
• The Bookhouse – Bookstore
• Gazebo – Upscale women’s clothing boutique
• Half Past Three – Upscale, casual women’s clothing boutique
• McCalls – Children’s and women’s sleepwear and lingerie store
• Monkee’s – Upscale women’s clothing boutique
• Norman Stockton – Men’s clothing store
• RingMaster Jewelers – Jewelry store
• Sfeer+Co – Furniture store
• Village Fabric Shop – Fabric store

Stratford Village

Across from Thruway Center, Stratford Village has a blend of locally-owned shops. Stratford Village is a smaller shopping center than the others on our list, but it has quality shops, making it worth the stop. 

Living in Winston-Salem’s Top Picks for Shopping at Stratford Village

• Angelina’s Teas – Tea store
• Kim Taylor & Company – Home decor, women’s clothing, jewelry, and gift shop
• Mommy & Children Boutique – Children and women’s clothing store
• Rolly’s Baby Boutique – Baby boutique
• Ski & Tennis Station / The Board Room – Outdoor sports store

Thruway Center

Thruway is a well-known retail destination in Winston-Salem, NC, and the shopping center with the most national retailers on our list. Its popularity has resulted in rising rent rates for retail space, driving many of its small business tenants out. A few local favorites have survived, which we’ve listed below. At Thruway Center, you’ll find various boutiques and specialty stores with women’s clothing, gifts, home kitchen supplies, children’s clothing, athletic gear, and outdoor rec equipment. 

Living in Winston-Salem’s Top Picks for Shopping at Thruway Center

• Great Outdoor Provision Co. – Outdoor sports store
• Hive Boutique – Upscale women’s clothing boutique
• Dewey’s Bakery – Bakery and gift shop
• Southern Home & Kitchen – Home decor and kitchen supply store

West End

Located just a few blocks from downtown and a hop, skip, and a jump from Thruway shopping center, West End is a hilly and windy neighborhood with some of the area’s best restaurants and shopping. One section of shops is on a bend around Reynolda Road and West End Blvd. Start at Fiddle & Fig and stroll down to the other shops around the bend. 

Burke Street is towards downtown and is an excellent place to explore boutique shops. It’s walkable, and the shops are relatively close together, making it a perfect place in Winston-Salem to stroll. 

Living in Winston-Salem’s Top Picks for Shopping in the West End

• The Boho Depot – Bohemian-style gift boutique
• Camel City Goods – Winston-Salem retail brand
• City Beverage – Craft beer and wine shop
• Collage – Eclectic vintage consignment
• Contempo Concepts – Furniture store
• Elizabeth’s at Hanes Park – Furniture antiques and consignment store (great finds here)
• Evelyn Rose Boutique – Women’s clothing boutique
• Fiddle & Fig – Farmhouse-style home goods store
• Idlewild Interiors – Contemporary furniture store
• Lulu Gal Jewelry – Minimalist jewelry store
• Primm’s – Upscale women’s clothing boutique
• Rebecca & Co. – Contemporary women’s clothing boutique
• The Snob Shop – Secondhand home, furniture, and clothing boutique (one of the best consignment stores in Winston-Salem)
• Sophisticated Florals by Stephanie – Floral shop (great place for house plants)
• Trouvaille Home – Upscale furniture store
• Underdog Records – Record store
• Yours Truly – Consignment store (clothing upstairs and furniture downstairs)