The Cotton Exchange holds a lot of history in its eight 19th-century buildings. Each of the eight…read morebrick buildings originally served a different industrial purpose. For instance, the Sprunt building started as a flour mill and a hominy mill. The structure was renovated in 1919 and became the central trading office for cotton bales, eventually growing into one of the world's largest and busiest cotton-exporting companies. The bales left the Cape Fear River port's docks to be shipped directly to England, Europe, and other parts of the United States, and remained fully operational until 1950. After the shipping port declined, the complex was abandoned and deteriorated to the point that it was scheduled for complete demolition. Fortunately, local developers stepped in to save the buildings, preserving the original architecture, heart pine beams, and exposed brickwork. The marketplace officially opened in 1976. It was the very first successful "adaptive reuse" historic preservation project in the state. Today, the Cotton Exchange is a wonderful, bustling mixture of locally owned restaurants and specialty shops. While exploring the multi-level halls, I really enjoyed viewing the built-in hallway exhibits filled with vintage photographs, educational storyboards, and antique tools tracing the complex's port history. I have since learned of a few treasures I missed while visiting, so I am already planning a return trip to find the rest and explicitly check out the Wilmington Walk of Fame installation out in the courtyards! It is a fantastic destination for exploring downtown, offering a large parking lot where merchants will validate your parking ticket with a purchase.

Didn't really see any shops that interested me here. Of those I did stop into, the people were…read morefriendly, but the prices were a bit overboard. And I was surprise with the lack of local goods (eg olive oil place is all imported but no info on the labels). I parked in their lot because I figured I would easily find something I'd like, support local, and validate my parking. Probably could have enjoyed a light meal here but not my kind of place - too tourist trappy.

This is a really nice shop inside the Cotton Exchange. They sell wine, wine glasses, and small home…read moredecor items. The shop isn't very big but they make up for it with the quality of items. Another really nice thing about this shop is they feature North Carolina wines and items from North Carolina craftsmen. Highly recommend.

Wilmington has many great little places and one would have to spend quite a bit of time checking…read moreevery store out - but please check this place out for SURE! The staff are great, the selection unique and you just might be surprised at what you might find and the price you will pay! We picked up a couple wedding gifts as well as a take home one for ourselves - I believe my mom even found something here too! Make sure you stop in - tell them your friends from Silver Creek NY sent you :)

Went here for a one tree hill event! Lots of different merch! I would recommend going here if…read moreyou're in town, and are a fan of one tree hill.

OTH fan and you happen to be in town? Krazy Mike'z better be on your list if you're looking for a…read morememento, or needing something to pair with your self-tour of filming locations. There's a nice variety of OTH merch (towards the back): shot glasses, mugs, hoodies, t-shirts, jerseys, stickers, vinyl stickers, etc. The merch is decently priced, however some of the clothing was showing some wear and tear (from customers trying them on). I'd suggest any potential buyers double check for any fraying or discoloration. Hopefully the store will consider more hat options, offering beanies, and offering more color variety (especially darker colors) for their shirts and hoodies. There were a few design styles I liked but they were only offered in grey or white. I also noticed some merch in-store isn't currently offered on their site and vice versa. If you're a Dawson's Creek fan: there is some merch (also towards the back, shares a table with some OTH merch and where the shot glasses are) but not as much as OTH. Tips: -Street parking is available -Store is about a 2-5min walk to Nathan & Haley's bench -Masks were enforced when I went (November 2021)

The perfect place located directly in downtown Wilmington for a hipster souvenir, house-warming…read moregift and I might even say dirty santa?! Planet is a store full of odds and ends that scream hip, dirty fashion and Durham...I mean Wilmington (just reminds me of a Durham, NC/Boulder, CO crowd). If you are in the mood for original t-shirts, summer dresses, raunchy bumper stickers, gem jewelry, fake aviator shades or a bench NOT made for sitting. I've been attracted into Planet on almost every visit to Wilmington and haven't been disappointed. It's cute, a quick stop, and if you're looking to but something, there's so much variety, it's hard not to see something that catches your eye. They even had a very small selection of items on sale (under $10). Planet is a great stop if you're downtown and wondering around.

In 15 minutes I found and tried on 2 dresses and 3 shirts. I purchased 4/5 items and added a…read morevintage necklace. The two tops I purchased would pair with a suit for work or jeans after hours. The dresses were fun and flirty with great prints and flattering cuts. They had a variety of super casual to date night and a few items appropriate to supplement your career wardrobe. I didn't have much time to browse but the sales woman was very friendly and helpful. I would love to come back and browse the nifty gifties!

Port City Pottery & Fine Crafts is located inside the upper level of the shops of the Cotton…read moreExchange. The Cotton Exchange businesses validate parking for their parking lot. Eight interconnected buildings make up the Cotton Exchange complex and were once home to one of the largest and busiest cotton-exporting companies in the world. Port City Pottery operates as a wonderful art co-op, opening 15 years ago as the first gallery in Wilmington dedicated exclusively to local, handmade crafts by jury-selected North Carolinian artisans. There are currently around 25 artisans in the co-op, and they take turns working the shop floor on different days. The gallery is filled with an incredible variety of high-quality mediums--everything from pottery, glass, and textiles to wood, jewelry, and creative metalwork. This was not the best place for me to spot and wander inside, as I always find at least one thing that needs to come home with me. Usually, the stained glass pulls me in, but I had just gotten a few new pieces in the High Country. The metal was so creative, and that is where I spent most of my time trying to decide which one I would purchase. Recycled art is fun, with scraps of metal being turned into something new. I ended up with the mouse, as I do have a lot of other metal pieces, but not a mouse. With my purchase, I also got a card about the artist, Randy Chapman, and my mouse was nicely wrapped for the journey home. I prefer this type of souvenir to the mass-produced type. I left with something unique to remember my visit. I will be back in Wilmington in October, so I am wondering what I will be drawn to on that visit.

We had an ice cream cone and also bought some fudge…read more Both were good.......not great! The fudge has a consistency and flavor had not had before, but it is still good and took some home with me

Helpfully with framing recommendations. I got a call when my work was complete. They safely kept my…read moreart while I was out of town the next two weeks.

I took a mantle clock there for repair with little hope it could be fixed. The friendly staff were…read moreable to repair it in no time.

I saw the Occasions ... Just Write store from the sidewalk and just had to go inside. It is on the…read moretop level of the Cotton Exchange. The Cotton Exchange has its own parking lot, and stores in the Exchange validate parking. The small business is women-owned and filled with so many treasures. There is a great selection of cards, notecards, stationery, postcards, journals and pens. But they also carry specialty art paints. The shop has a very warm, cozy, and inviting atmosphere with items beautifully displayed. The staff was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable, allowing you to browse at your leisure, which I liked, as I am never sure what I will be drawn to and like to let items find me. Whether you are looking for a unique gift, fine stationery, or high-quality art paints, this shop is an absolute gem in downtown Wilmington!

Very good but could be even better. I really appreciated the fact that I was able to find a…read moreLeuchtturm 1917 journal to use as my Bullet Journal and some excellent Blackwing pencils. They also had a number of fountain pens to choose from, though I was not in the market so skipped over them. This alone is enough to make this a regular stop for me on my visits to Wilmington. On the downside, I spent a good 20 minutes browsing in the store AND made a purchase and the clerk never really engaged me other than seeming to keep an eye out that I was not shoplifting. When I was leaving I saw a sign outside the door that they were promoting a special project where people could write notes to service people overseas. I didn't see the sign when i came in and never did the clerk asks me if I wanted to contribute to the project -- which I totally would have. I absolutely DO NOT like clerks who are all over you when you are shopping, but a friendly greeting and promotion of an event like they were running is not overboard.

Such a fun, cozy plant shop. Gnome Garde has healthy houseplants, unique pots, and the cutest gnome…read moretouches throughout the store. A lot of care goes into what's carried here, and it shows. If you love plants and supporting small local shops, this one's worth stopping into.

From the owner: A gnome-loving gift and plant shop by the Gnomies of Gnome Nom Nom--filled with whimsical décor,…read moregreenery, and magical mushroom treasures.

Got a cute Prince magnet here. They have lots of cool gifts and service is friendly. Prices are a…read morebit high but isn't everything these days?

I bought a hoodie, and 2 t-shirts while here on vacation! The clothes I got here were some of my…read morefavorites! I came to Wilmington for a One Tree Hill convention and there was definitely lots of merch options here at Top Toad. Everyone in here was also so kind!