Before the days of modern supermarket chains, if you wanted food you either grew it yourself or headed straight to your local grocer. Luckily, times have changed and those conveniences are now expectations. However, despite the rise of supermarket chains and warehouse clubs, small independent grocers in South Carolina still manage to thrive and keep the hometown experience alive. The next time you go to stock your pantry, try shopping at one of these 9 best markets in South Carolina.
Part grocery store, part restaurant & catering, part beer haven, Corley’s has a lot going for it. This little neighborhood market has been filling appetites for over 27 years. Here you can find a variety of common food staples, fresh cut steaks and Boar’s Head deli meats, beer and wine, in addition to complete meals, bakery items, and locally sourced honey and other treats.
Reminiscent of an old-time meat market, you won’t find any fresher meats than Wilson’s. They still cut their meats by hand and have one of the biggest selections in the area. Wilson’s offers wholesale services to restaurants, meat processing services, and a variety of grocery staples like milk, eggs, cheese, and dry goods. Best of all, they’re open to the public!
One trip to Bert’s and you’ll want to skip the long supermarket lines for good. You’ll find everything you need to cook a good meal, complete with a generous selection of wine and beer. Organic spices, produce, fresh ground peanut butter, fridge staples like milk and eggs, and made-to-order meals are just a few of the goodies awaiting you here.
You might have to travel off the beaten path for this one, but it’s well worth the trip when you see the variety of fresh, healthy eats waiting for you to take them home. Specializing in bulk and natural foods, visitors love the variety of fresh meats and cheeses, raw milk, bulk pasta and other dry foods.
Specializing in bulk meats and other food favorites, Feasters Foods makes it easy to fill your pantry for less. Having been likened to a small-scale warehouse club without the membership fees, customers love saving money by buying in large quantities. You can choose from a variety of family packs to feed everyone in your house for a week. They also offer whole hogs, pigs feet, and other hard to find items.
This little family run market has enjoyed a healthy response from its community since it opened just over a year ago. Specializing in fresh cut meats and produce, visitors can also pick up a fully cooked rotisserie chicken or fill their baskets with cooking essentials, dairy products, dried beans, and other favorites.
Since its humble beginnings in 1946, this quaint little grocery cottage has been a hidden gem in the bustling Charleston metro. When you step through the doors, you’ll feel the clock turn back a few decades to a time where service mattered and quality was paramount. Locals and travelers alike love the selection of groceries, wine, and beer here. You can also settle down for a freshly prepared lunch to keep you full while you shop.
Don’t let the outside fool you—inside, this little market is brimming with some of the most delicious meats and made-to-order lunches. Locals love going to Allread’s for a hot dog or the daily special because they feel like family from the moment they walk in. You can get fresh cut steaks, deli meats, ice cream, and a host of other food must-have’s and paper goods to save you a trip to the big box stores.
Blink and you’ll miss it, as Nap’s Grocery & Variety looks like one of the many houses surrounding it in its neighborhood setting. It’s a local favorite for filling the shopping cart (that’s the “grocery” part), but it’s also well known for its breakfast and lunch specials (that’s the “variety” part). Their fans rave about the chicken wings, fried chicken, home-style fixins, and cheeseburgers, as well as the ever-friendly service that makes them feel right at home.