Hampden Shakes Up the Retail 8 Ball
We won’t even mention the number of stores closing their doors in this economic hiccup. Not when Hampden Clothing is opening two.
The upscale women’s clothing store is growing! And that deserves pom poms in both hands.
Hampden, which was just listed as one of the nation’s Top 50 stores in Marie Claire magazine, opens its doors today to a larger, more versatile location near the corner of King and George.
The new 2,800 square foot space will have a clean, simplistic vibe. A vibe that owner Stacy Smallwood says will put the focus on the clothing, without the distractions.
Sleek limestone walls, three spacious dressing rooms, two entrances, an expanded retail space and even a posh lounge area where wayward boyfriends and spouses can linger during Saturday afternoon shopping sprees.
That is, if they’re not shopping themselves. The new Hampden Clothing location will feature a selection of designer men’s clothing by the likes of Steven Alan and James. for Charleston’s most dapper Holy City gentlemen.
Smallwood wants customers in the new location to “come in and stay a while,” a call to the return of leisurely shopping, with that personal attention to the customer Hampden is known for. Clothing in the new store will be grouped by designers, allowing customers to become intimately familiar with the trade sakes of each label. 
And, of course, that high-end daring style we’ve come to love from Hampden clothing will be amplified in the new location as well. With more room for more style, Smallwood is especially thrilled to expand the boutique’s selection of accessories (maybe the best jewelry in the city) and shoes because…well, we won’t mention our addiction to shoes either.
Hampden Clothing opens today at 10am at 314 King St. If you need an extra reason to shop, Stacy and staff will be serving champagne to customers in celebration of the new location today through Saturday. And don’t worry a lick about parking – the new locale features free parking behind the store for purchasing customers.
To add a cherry on the sundae, for CHARLIE readers only, Hampden will be giving an exclusive gift with purchase through Sunday. Pom poms? Check.
Story by: Kari Kaldon and Caroline Millard
Photos by: Jason A. Zwiker
