After spending the previous three weeks on the road we arrived in Savannah, Georgia without a plan. We had no idea where our Airbnb was in comparison to the downtown area, nor did we care (one of the perks of traveling with a car). Upon our arrival, our host informed us that we were staying in the Starland District of Savannah.

About The Starland District

The next thing I knew, I was flipping through the binder our host had left for visitors, filled with recommendations for restaurants, stores, and tours to check out during our stay. About 10 minutes later, I knew what we were going to do with our first full day in town – SHOP!

Once I explained to Brad that the Starland District was not a ritzy shopping area, and more supporting of local artists and small boutiques, we were ready to go. The heart of Starland runs along Bull Street just past 37th Street, only a couple blocks away from where we were staying!

After walking through residential alleyways, we definitely knew when we hit Bull St. All of a sudden we were surrounded by colorful businesses, art galleries, and small restaurants. It’s clear that the Starland District is a hub for art, music and creativity.

Eating in the Starland District

Before a full day of shopping, it’s important to eat a good meal! Since our Airbnb was located close to the Starland District, we were able to try a few of the nearby restaurants. Here’s a quick rundown of some of our favorites:

The Starland Cafe is a great lunch spot – once you find it! It looks like a residential home, but with an adorable side yard and front porch for outdoor eating. The cafe is known for their paninis, soups, and salads, whose ingredients are all locally sourced.

Back in the Day Bakery is another great spot to grab a coffee and some sweet treats before starting your day. Adorable decor, made-from-scratch baked goods and good coffee make this place a must-eat!

Head to the Green Truck Pub after a busy day exploring Savannah. With hundreds of positive reviews on Yelp and TripAdvisor, the Green Truck does not disappoint. They serve ridiculously good burgers and fries, with a decent selection of local and craft brews. This place feels authentic, and although it can get extremely busy, you feel like one of the locals!

NOLAjane

After our recent trip to New Orleans, NOLAjane caught our attention as we were walking down Bull Street. Aside from a few travel related necklaces, the store does not sell anything New Orleans themed, but they do offer a variety of products! They sell everything from one-of-a-kind furniture and lavish soaps to clothing and handmade jewelry.

This shop is just as delightful as it’s owners! As soon as you enter, you can definitely tell a designer’s keen eye was in charge of the clean layout and quirky product selection. We talked with Nicholas, who owns NOLAjane and studies Graphic Design at Savannah College of Art and Design, for quite some time. He was the first one to fill us in on the history of the tiny Starland community.

Urban Poppy

Urban Poppy is a very short walk away from Bull Street, on Abercorn Steet. Before opening this store, the owners created floral designs and tablescapes for weddings and other special events. Now, along with these services, this beautiful botanical boutique sells terrariums, vases, home decor, and all things gold and copper. The inside of the store is absolutely beautiful, and obviously draws from the owner’s knowledge of floral and interior design.

The Vicar’s Wife

During our time in Savannah, we visited several antique stores, but one of our favorites was located in the Starland District. The Vicar’s Wife has a tasteful and affordable collection of old trinkets and furniture.

The space feels very open and organized. Not only is the shopping experience lovely, but so is the owner! It might be southern hospitality, but like most shops in Starland, the store owners never fail to strike up conversation.

Starlandia Creative Supplies

Starlandia Creative Supplies is a new and used art supply store in the center of the Starland District, located directly next to The Vicar’s Wife and NOLAjane. Not only do they carry art supplies, but they also have an eclectic mix of other random items. It’s a great place to go to get inspired!

Want to get rid of art supplies you no longer need? Starlandia offers store credit equivalent to 30 percent of the store’s retail price for them. What a great deal for the nearby SCAD students!

Appreciation Society

Appreciation Society really sums up what the Starland District is all about – celebrating independent artists and creators. This tiny retail space offers a selection of carefully chosen zines (“small circulation self-published works of original or appropriated texts and images”), books, and vintage clothing.

Appreciation Society, as well as all of the stores mentioned above, truly show the influence that the nearby Savannah College of Art & Design has on this community. Savannah is not the biggest city, and the historic district’s lack of space and over-priced rent has forced smaller businesses out. The Starland District is the perfect incubator for these art galleries, boutiques, and cafes. We can’t wait to come back and see how much it has grown!