Historic Charleston City Market

The market was established in the late 18th century as a series of market sheds. It stretched over four blocks from Meeting Street’s Market Hall (not to be confused with the City Market) all the way to East Bay Street.

The market was initially created as a replacement for Charleston’s Beef Market building, which burned down in 1796. Market Hall was added to the City Market, making it City Market Hall, in the 1840s. During the 1800s, City Market was a gathering place for the local community and where local farmers and plantation owners came to sell meat and produce.

Market Hall was designed by Charlestonian native Edward B. White in the Greek Revival architectural style; it is inspired by the Temple of Portunus in Rome and the Temple of Athena Nike in Athens. The rest of the market made up of sheds, stretches for about 1,240 feet from the back of the hall. City Market is also home to Charleston’s Confederate Museum, built in 1899. Established by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the museum displays various artifacts from the Civil War. 

The entire market was damaged by Hurricane Hugo in 1989; afterward, it was restored to its original colors. The building’s elegant facade is now a beige-ochre color, with vibrant forest-green ironwork and a rust base, adding another pop of color to downtown Charleston. It also underwent renovation in the 2000s to add a skylight and micro-boutiques throughout the first floor of the building.

About The Pinch Charleston

The hotel’s reputation as one of the best Charleston city market hotels is well-earned, thanks in part to its prime location in the heart of Charleston

Guests can easily check in iconic landmarks like Charleston Historic District, as the hotel is within walking distance of this must-see attraction. It offers beautifully decorated rooms and top-notch amenities, including an oyster bar serving up some of the freshest seafood in town.

Discover the perfect blend of comfort, sophistication, and Southern charm at The Pinch Charleston Hotel. This luxurious boutique hotel offers top-notch amenities, including a 24-hour front desk, an on-site fitness center, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel's great location offers easy access to Charleston City Market, Charleston Museum, French Quarter, and South Carolina Aquarium.

The Great Hall

The City Market has an air-conditioned indoor marketplace area affectionately called "The Great Hall, as Market Hall is now known, which is home to countless shops selling souvenirs, food, artisanal crafts, and much more. The selection of stores includes Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits, which sells hand-made Southern biscuits; Chuma Gullah Gallery, which sells work by emerging Gullah artists; Heaven Scent, a perfume and essential oil shop; Sweet Charleston, which hawks Lowcountry candies; and The Fishin’ Duck, a gift shop, among dozens of other stores. 

Many of the market’s open air sheds are home to sellers of handmade and rare crafts, like sweetgrass baskets and ceramics. The daytime market is open from 9:30am to 6:00pm daily, except for on Sundays, when it closes at 5:00pm. Charleston City Market also holds Night Markets on Friday and Saturday nights, 6:30pm to 10:30pm, from March to December. The Night Market is popular for its live music and community energy.

Charleston City Market and its surrounding neighborhood (Charleston Historic District) are also home to various restaurants. City Market Grocery, located inside the Great Hall, serves sandwiches, salads, and homemade pastries. Nearby Peninsula Grill is a Charleston classic, serving classic American dishes with Lowcountry flair. Also close by is Hank’s Seafood Restaurant, which has been voted Charleston’s Best Seafood Restaurant many years in a row. 

Charleston City Market is the perfect place to spend a day strolling through open-air sheds, inspecting handmade wares, and buying gifts for your family and friends.