There are lots of places to shop in Sunset Beach, NC, many of which are small local shops with an interesting, eclectic feel. Though this town builds its economy on tourism, it has somehow managed to stay distinctively homey and non-touristy. This means that you don’t have to worry about encountering a million little souvenir shops with cheap “Sunset Beach” post cards and beach towels before you find the town’s real beauties. Here are just a few of the great shops you should visit when you check out Sunset Beach.

The Blue Heron Gallery on Chandler’s Lane features all kinds of functional art. The Carolinas have long been known for their lovely pottery and ceramic work, and you can find handmade vases and dishes by local artists at the Blue Heron. It also offers glass pieces and handmade jewelry, clocks and other random artsy items for sale.

Shop Girl on Queen Anne Street is a distinctively girly boutique shop featuring fashion items for women and girls. It carries designer clothing and shoes from various brand names in a cute, comfortable little shop that is locally owned. This shop has locations in Sunset Beach and in Southport.

For those with kids, Sunset Beach shopping wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Little Friends Children’s Boutique. This shop carries popular name brand clothing and upscale styles for your kids. Pick up new clothes for the beach when you’re already in town, or start shopping for next summer ahead of time.

If you prefer to shop at a larger mall or know what chain store you’re looking for, you can always drive into Wilmington, the larger city nearby to Sunset Island. The Independence Mall on Oleander has lots of shopping options, as well as a food court that you can enjoy during your shopping trip.