World City Guide

Shopping

Since Atlanta is quite cosmopolitan, it is easy to find what you seek -- be it trendy or tacky, funky or fashionable or anything you can think of in-between. The city and suburbs are teeming with malls, neighbourhood shops, galleries and antiques.

Malls are by far the most convenient since most have generous parking, cinemas and restaurants. The larger and more varied are Lenox Square (Peachtree Street and Lenox Road), with the MARTA Lenox Station adjacent. With over 170 stores including Macy’s, Rich’s, Neiman Marcus and Laura Ashley, it is the place where Atlantans shop. Phipps Plaza, just a connecting shuttle away in Peachtree Road in Buckhead, features Saks Fifth Avenue, Niketown, Tiffany’s, Gucci and Parisian. Peachtree Center, 213 Peachtree Street, is the only mall within easy reach of the hotel district in Downtown. One of the southeast’s largest shopping centres, Mall of Georgia is about 45 minutes northeast of Downtown. For bargains, you have to drive a little out of the way to the Georgia Premium Outlets in Dawnsville or Discover Mills in Lawrenceville. Underground Atlanta is more the touristy-type destination with souvenir shops, food outlets and kitschy stores.

Speciality boutiques are often found in neighbourhood shopping districts. There are scads of shoe styles at Mitzi’s Shoe Box and funky frocks at Mooncake Clothing Co. Both are on Virginia Avenue in the Virginia Highlands. Buckhead has been called the ‘Beverly Hills of the East’ because of its array of designer shops, art galleries and upscale boutiques. For antiques and reproductions at almost feasible prices, visit Bennett Street. Just the Thing on Pharr Road sells attractive accessories like shawls, hair wraps, purses and belts. And, there are all kinds of charming shops down the road in the town of Decatur.

Many bookstores have in-house coffee bars and encourage browsers to consume the entire stock before buying. Barnes & Noble, Borders and Chapter 11 are all excellent literary emporiums. For out-of-town newspapers and magazines, Joe Muggs Newstand, 3275 Peachtree Street, is well worth a visit.

Shopping malls are open around 1000-2000, Monday-Saturday, as well as 1200-1700 Sunday. Sales tax in Georgia is 7%.