What cool place! Lots of booths with lots to offer! I was greeted when I walked in and the booths…read morehad anything from food items like baked goods to refrigerated premade foods, clothing, lots of nautical goods, indoor outdoor items just a lot to see. The staff walked around making sure everyone was finding what they looked for. Family friendly.. had items for kids too.. bright, colorful and you took items up front to register when you are ready!! Great place to walk thru

This place has remained so consistently great in the 25 years it has been open. When I walked in…read moretoday, every employee was dressed up in dim Christmas attire and super friendly. It seemed they like really love working there. I picked up a Cape Fear rum cake because they are unbelievably good. The store is so clean and you can find something for everyone. Not to mention that they do wrapping for free!

10 out of 10. Amazing coffee and service. While visiting Wilmington, I googled this gem and…read moredecided to indulge. It's a cute quaint coffee shop with great trinkets, stationary, mugs, cards and of course - Coffee. I had the Golden Gal (see photo). It was delightful. The baristas were super helpful and friendly. I seriously wanted to return for another one or one of the other drinks. But it was my last day in Wilmington . But I will certainly be back.

I'm so glad we stopped in. This has got to be one of the cutest coffee shops I've been to. Decor is…read moreso pretty and girly, drinks are pretty and good too - and the decor, stationary and shopping are so adorable. They offered custom crepes although I didn't get one because we had breakfast reservations elsewhere. I would have though! I ordered the prettiest drink which was called You're Like Really Pretty. A nod to Mean Girls I assume. It was tasty, I wish I could go back for another. I also wish we had something like this in Charlotte. Can't wait to return on a future visit.

I have to give a SHOUT OUT to Pam from Crabby Chic for OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE! I purchased a…read morebeautiful original piece of coastal art in the store 3 years ago. I wanted a companion piece. Pam went out of her way to locate the artist and help me make my dream come true. This is not your "snooty" botique, this is an example of how all botiques should be run. I love my table lamp and vases and books that I have purchased there. It is my go to shop for wonderful gifts that are sure to please. Thank you Pam! Theresa

Nice shop but the customer service is awful. The ladies working there are so rude and have such a…read morebad attitude. Despite being a regular customer since the day they opened they gave me such a hard time when I tried to return something that was defective. I'll never go back. Lots of other gift stores around with better customer service.

Choice of mdse. is fantastic. Don't know where to look first…read more Just want to buy everything in the store. There's something for everyone. Found such unique gifts. And it's such fun when there's a Customer Appreciation Day with the selection of food and drinks, such a homey welcoming atmosphere. Can't wait 'til my next visit. Jeannette

The store has so many things and it's all so pretty! Service was interesting, no one greeted us and…read morejust stared at us, fortunately the YOUNG cashier greeted us so nicely, the older ladies assuming the owners did not bat an eye at us lol. First time in here, probably won't be back. Value for items are reasonable they have them broken up by little businesses I'm assuming.

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 :)

Unique gift shop if you need something special . Great hostess gift if you need one. Pleasant…read morepeople in the shop. Very helpful.

Similar to lululemon, this place is a disaster... If you're a guy like me with a wife like mine who…read morelikes nice things. Knick-knacks, china, candlesticks, candles, gifts, and beach-appropriate decorating items like a bottle opener ship's wheel (my favorite; perhaps not classy). They also have 2-3 places for me/you to sit while your wife shops. Very important. Also money for finding your mother-in-law a gift.

I love this store. Maybe because I'm an old-er hippie. Stop there every time I'm in Wilmington.read more

Photography by 3Spade7Star @3Spade7Star_photography…read moreJanuary 25, 2026 - Sunday The Black Cat Shoppe was on my to go see list in Wilmington to see if I could get on a historical tour in a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, they don't have historical tours but they do have tours on foot and it was not feasible for me to do after having a surgery on my hip & leg - still healing. So I browsed the store for a long period and had the most fun with using the coin operated crystal vending machine. For two quarters you can get one to three crystals with a turn of the knob on the machine. I was lucky to get three crystals several times. You don't know how many or what kind of crystals you will get, yet it is fun, and the crystals make a great gift to give to people. I got a lot of green aventurine crystals and crystals I usually would not select like dalmation jasper & a dull moonstone. It was a steal since most crystals are $1-3 each for the sizes I received of these crystals. Alyssa was very engaging and stellar in providing me information and generating more sales effortlessly - just by answering all my questions and showing me different rings stocked inside the ring display. She was delightful, memorable, and helped me select the perfect rings to wear on my index and third finger. I got 3 rings for $24.99. Other items I purchased was: money attraction incense & oudh resin in a glass bottle for incense, unique oracle cards with funny yes & no answers, stickers, a pamphlet detailing all the places where television series and movies were filmed at in Wilmington, North Carolina, and post cards. The postcards were only $1. I should have bought a book there that I thought I already had. The book is The Ghosts of Old Wilmington by John Hirchak. The book is signed by the writer. I had two ghost books about Wilmington but it was not that one. Yet it is another reason I should go back to The Black Cat Shoppe. I plan to come back here and go on their tours later in the future. This is a place I plan to visit again the next time I come to Wilmington, North Carolina.

This is a fantastic store. They have so many things. Just room after room after room. I usually…read moreget all of my gifts for new parents here. They have such a Greta selection and do have a lot of local vendor items, too. They have a huge selection of Scout products and many different kinds of high quality lotions and candles. The staff could be a little friendlier (every time I am there) and the hours are terrible. That is where the 4 starts come in. If I worked there I would be so happy all of the time because the feel in there is just so soothing.

What's not to like about dragonflies? Have you been inside this charming shop on Oleander? Surely…read morethe name coaxed you inside. If you haven't visited, what are you waiting for? You'll find all kinds of gift items, baby goodies, knickknacks, dishes, clothing, furniture, artwork, jewelry...just to name a few. Betcha come away with just what you were looking for, or didn't know you needed. Don't worry, the helpful and friendly staff will be delighted to assist.

We were looking for some nice souvenirs from North Carolina and were so glad we stopped here! We…read morefound the perfect keepsakes--a magnet and a Christmas tree ornament--that will always remind us of our trip. The shop has a fun variety of items, from unique gifts to classic souvenirs, so there's something for everyone to enjoy. The staff were also incredibly kind, friendly, and welcoming, which made the experience even better. A great little spot to pick up something special while visiting NC--highly recommend!

This was the best beach shop I've been to and I don't think I'd go anywhere else. Prices were…read moredecent. Clothing items had good quality and weren't all the cheaply made things. Employee was so friendly and kind and we talked for a bit. Felt like we had a new friend when we left. It was also right on the beach and pier and was perfect location to stop and enjoy the evening!