Shop At The Cotton Exchange

When you’ve made your way up to The Cotton Exchange, between Front and Nutt streets, stop in the lower level vestibule and take time to read about its history and how these eight buildings, once part of the world’s largest cotton-exporting company, were converted to a shopping and dining complex in the early 1970s. This tri-level mall is a really fun place to shop. Today there are 25 unique shops and four restaurants at the Cotton Exchange. Several of the shops specialize in art works of various types and all are worth a visit.

Two shops at the Cotton Exchange specialize in fine crafts. Crescent Moon has a fabulous selection of hand-crafted glass and metal art pieces and carries more than 70 artist’s works in blown, fused, stained and porcelain glass styles. Crescent Moon has recently added a new service – they will beautifully wrap and hand deliver gifts within the Wilmington area.

The Celtic Shop offers a large selection of fine goods from Scotland and Ireland. You’ll find beautiful products for your home here with linens, tartans and flags featured too. And since the items are produced to exacting standards, you can be sure that the quality matches the designs and workmanship.

Port City Pottery & Fine Crafts is dedicated exclusively to handmade, one-of-a-kind, three-dimensional works of art. Pottery, fiber art, basketry, woodworking, jewelry and mixed media sculpture are found in the shop presented by jury-selected coastal North Carolina artisans. One-of-a-kind handbags are also featured in this store that is filled with beautiful hand-crafted items.

The Golden Gallery also opened in the Cotton Exchange in 1977 and now is in its fifth location there. What makes the Golden Gallery unique is the artists; with one small exception, they are all Goldens. On display are the works of Mary Ellen Golden, a watercolorist; John W. Golden, son of the owners, a photographer with a large catalog of images of the Cape Fear region, and Melissa Manley, a metalsmith and honorary Golden. The senior John Golden, a folksinger and storyteller, has CDs available in the shop.

If you enjoy working with beads, head to Caravan Beads, which has 1100 square feet of fine quality beads, findings and stringing materials. Those who are interested in learning to work with beads are invited to attend a variety of classes that take place in the shop, which has been located in Wilmington since 1995. Caravan can also repair your jewelry or create an earring for those who have lost just one.

Top Toad is a clothing and collectibles shop that has served the area for 14 years. Included in the unique merchandise are a terrific selection of tops, all silk-screened so that designs will never come off. You’ll find lots of short and long sleeved shirts and hoodies with various Wilmington names and you’ll even find an assortment of pirate paraphernalia, from shot glasses to hats to shirts to shower curtains! Stop in to find just the right gift, whether for visitors or for residents.

Occasions features fine stationery including Crane, William Arthur, Vera Wang and Caspari, among others and offer a selection of pens including fountain pens and inks. Journals, decorative papers and a great selection of greeting cards are in stock. If you’ve just relocated here, they will be happy to help you select the perfect custom personalized stationery for your new residence. They also will be glad to assist you with wedding or other invitations to see that you get the product that is just right for you.