This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.
After dropping off my luggage at Sailor’s Rest, my accommodations on Johns Island, my next goal was to secure groceries for my stay there. While I had scou5ed out several possible grocery stores on Johns Island, I’m grateful my host recommended Harris Teeter in Freshfields Village. It turns out the store I thought about stopping at on my way to Sailor’s Rest, closes on Sundays.
Harris Teeter Market is located six miles down the road, from my accommodations. It was a quick drive. And what a surprise when I arrived. This grocery store didn’t look like any I’ve ever seen before. In fact, I drove past it, thinking I missed the building somehow. Driving around the block, slowly as I looked for the grocery store, I realized the “village” in Freshfields Village wasn’t simply the name of a shopping center. This beautiful village is a thriving community and the place to go for shopping, dining and services for those living on the islands or visiting.
Come with me. Visit Freshfields Village in South Carolina. And add this charming community to your must see list when visiting the Charleston area.
Freshfields Village
The Village sits at the crossroads of Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island and Johns Island Island, in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. It’s just 30 minutes from Charleston and minutes from anywhere on the islands.
Operated by Northwood Retail, this is an open air shopping community, designed for pedestrian traffic. Freshfields Village offers vacationers and residents a premiere shopping and dining destination with unique architecture, beautiful courtyard patios, and seasonal events that include cultural festivals, outdoor concerts and movies, plus a seasonal Farmer’s Market.
Although it is designed for walking the beautifully arranged streets and lanes, there is ample parking available in designated areas plus the large parking lot at Harris Teeter. Additional parking is available along the streets and behind the buildings.
What Freshfields Village Offers
The Village offers more than 60 stores, restaurants and services in one convenient location. And what a beautiful, relaxed space it is.
Services
The Village offers all the essential services you might need, whether you are a local or a traveler. Services at Freshfields Village include:
- banking – Bank of American, BB&T, FNB, Wells Fargo
- post office and computer center
- Buist, Byars & Taylor Law Firm
- Charleston County Sheriff’s Department
- Kiawah Island ARB
- skin care – Bluemercury, Sweet Grass Plastic Surgery
- Indigo Health chiropractic and massage services
- Kiawah Island Club Biz Hub
- Kiawah Partners Human Resources
- real estate offices – Kiawah Island Real Estate, Timbers Kiawah, Kiawah Island Rentals by Vacasa
- Kiawah Nail Studio
- Urban Nirvana Hair Salon
- Urban Nirvana Sap
- Patricia Reno Huff Art Gallery and Studio
- Roper St Francis primary health care/family care
- Salt Marsh Animal Hospital
- The Corner Drycleaners
- The Station gas and convenient store
- Village Dentistry
- Village Optical
- Vincent’s Drugstore
Shopping
From clothing, shoes and accessories to gifts to sporting goods to home décor, Freshfields Village has you covered.
Apparel, Shoes & Accessories
- Beaufort Bonnet Company – babies and kids
- Coastal Footwear
- Faherty
- Holly & Brooks
- Islands Mercantile
- J. McLaughlin
- Johnny Was
- Luminary
- Las Olas
- Lilly Pulitzer
- lululemon
- Peyton William Jewelry
- Showroom Kiawah
- Southern Tide Kiawah
- Spartina 449
- TINA Stephens
- vineyard vines
Gifts, Books & Art
- Doin’ the Charleston
- Indigo Books
- Palmetto Scent Studio
- Patricia Reno Huff Art Gallery & Studio
Groceries, Beer, Wine & Liquor
- Kiawah Spirits
- The Village Market by Harris Teeter
- The Station
Home Design, Accessories & Services
- GCD Home
- Knight Residential Group
Pet Supplies
- Doolittle’s
Sporting Goods & Fitness
- SeaCoast Sports & Outfitters
Dining
You can choose from a wide variety of cafés and restaurants, when you are ready to take a break from strolling and shopping.
- Ben & Jerry’s
- Café Eugenia
- Cantina 76
- FortyEight Wine Bar & Kitchen
- Fuji Sushi Bar & Grill
- Hege’s
- Java Java
- Jersey Mike’s Subs
- King Street Grille
- La Tela Pizzeria
- Ladles Soups
- The Co-Op
- The Village Market by Harris Teeter (salad & food bar + outdoor seating)
- The Station Deli
- Vincent’s Soda Fountain
Accommodations
- Andell Inn
My Experience in Freshfields Village
After discovering what a delightful village Freshfields is during my grocery shopping trip, I made plans to return a couple of days later for lunch and exploring.
Checking out the village’s website, I selected Café Eugenia for lunch. There is a convenient parking lot close to this end of The Village. I left my rental car there while I enjoyed dining and then strolling around the area.
Café Eugenia suited me perfectly. The café uses locally sourced ingredients to offer an ever-changing assortment of salads, sandwiches, charcuterie boards, takeaway meals, drinks and more. I chose selections from their assortment of delicious salads, creating a plate with hummus and crispy pita bread, herbed potatoes and bean salad.
Appetite sated, I next did what I most enjoy doing while traveling…exploring. Wandering the beautiful streets of The Village I found exquisite buildings housing shops, restaurants and services, green spaces for playing and relaxing, courtyards with bistro tables and adirondack chairs facing a small lake.
The large green lawn at the center of the village is perfect for corn hole competitions…or hosting special events. Public restrooms are located in three spots in The Village plus the cafés and restaurants have them, if you dine in one of those. There are maps posted on boards throughout the area, so you can easily find what you are looking for.
While I peeked into several of the shops, I only purchased a novel from Indigo Books for the flight home. Since I travel with a carryon, I don’t have a lot of space for other purchases.
Visit Freshfields Village in South Carolina
I highly recommend Freshfields Village as a stop if you are in the Charleston area. The Village is not only gorgeous, it is exceptionally clean and well cared for. Plants and flowers add charming touches to streets and buildings. And the architecture is so unique. The whole village has a tropical island feel.
I enjoyed spending several hours in Freshfields. Depending on how much shopping you did, you could easily spend an entire day here. Plus The Village offers special activities throughout the year. Check out the Event Calendar HERE.
I adore the Charleston historic district and spent half a day there this trip. And I love the more laid back island life on Johns, Wadmalaw and Kiawah Islands as well. Freshfields Village is a bright gem on the islands that I did not expect to find. What a wonderful surprise. I’ll definitely visit again the next time I’m in the Charleston area.
Have you heard of Freshfields Village?
