Shopping Guide: Finding the Best Stores in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia is one of the South’s biggest shopping hubs, with everything from luxury boutiques and national chains to historic markets and neighborhood shops. Whether you live in the city, are visiting for a few days, or are comparing areas to move to, understanding where to shop in Atlanta can save time and make your errands—and splurges—much easier.

Below is a practical guide to stores in Atlanta, Georgia, organized by type of shopping and major areas of the city.

Major Shopping Districts in Atlanta

Atlanta’s stores cluster into a few well-known shopping areas. Knowing these can help you plan your day around traffic, parking, and nearby attractions.

Buckhead: Upscale & Luxury Shopping

Buckhead is often considered Atlanta’s most established shopping district, especially for designer brands, jewelry, and high-end department stores.

Key shopping centers in Buckhead include:

• Lenox Square – Large indoor mall with national retailers, department stores, and popular clothing brands.
  • Location: 3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
• Phipps Plaza – Upscale mall across from Lenox with luxury brands, boutiques, and higher-end dining.
  • Location: 3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
• Surrounding Peachtree Road corridor – Lined with furniture stores, specialty boutiques, banks, and service businesses.

Buckhead is a good choice if you want to:

• Shop multiple national brands in one place
• Browse luxury fashion and accessories
• Combine shopping with higher-end restaurants and hotels

Parking is typically in large decks, and public transit access is available via the Lenox and Buckhead MARTA rail stations.

Midtown: Boutiques, Everyday Essentials, and Artsy Shops

Midtown combines city living essentials with creative and niche stores.

Notable areas include:

• Peachtree Street NE corridor – Mix of pharmacies, bookstores, clothing chains, and smaller boutiques.
• Atlantic Station – Open-air center with clothing retailers, home-goods stores, a large big-box retailer, and restaurants.
  • Location: 1380 Atlantic Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30363
• Midtown Mile (along Peachtree) – Restaurants, fitness studios, and a selection of shops providing everyday needs for residents and office workers.

Midtown is convenient if you:

• Live in nearby condos or apartments and need groceries, drugstores, or quick errands
• Prefer walkable shopping with plenty of dining
• Want to combine shopping with cultural stops like the High Museum of Art or the Fox Theatre

Access is straightforward via several MARTA stations (Arts Center, Midtown, North Avenue) and multiple bus routes.

Downtown Atlanta: Souvenirs, Convenience, and Tourist-Friendly Stores

Downtown is more about convenience and tourism-focused shops than all-day mall experiences.

You’ll find:

• Small souvenir and gift shops near major attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, and Centennial Olympic Park
• Convenience stores and drugstores serving office workers, students, and visitors
• Limited clothing and specialty retailers, often on or near Peachtree Street and Marietta Street

Downtown stores work well if you:

• Are staying in a downtown hotel and need essentials
• Want easy access while visiting nearby attractions
• Prefer walkable options over driving to a mall

Popular Malls and Shopping Centers in Atlanta

If you want many types of stores in one place, Atlanta’s malls and lifestyle centers are your best bet.

Key Shopping Centers (Quick Comparison)

*Perimeter Mall is technically in Dunwoody/Sandy Springs, but heavily used by Atlanta residents.

Trendy & Local Shopping: Intown Neighborhoods

Beyond malls, many Atlantans prefer neighborhood-based shopping in walkable districts with local character.

Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, and Poncey-Highland

These eastside neighborhoods are known for independent boutiques and specialty stores.

Common finds:

• Women’s and men’s boutique clothing
• Home décor and gift shops
• Small bookstores, record stores, and specialty food stores
• Local coffee shops and bakeries that pair easily with a shopping stroll

Nearby, Ponce City Market (675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308) offers:

• Stylish clothing boutiques
• Specialty food and beverage retailers
• Home goods, stationery, and gift shops
• A large food hall and rooftop entertainment

This area is popular for:

• Visitors looking for “only in Atlanta” shopping experiences
• Residents wanting unique gifts and local brands
• Combining shopping with the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail

Little Five Points

Little Five Points (often called L5P) is one of Atlanta’s most distinctive shopping areas.

You’ll typically find:

• Vintage and thrift clothing stores
• Skate, record, and alternative lifestyle shops
• Costume and novelty stores
• Locally owned bars, pizza spots, and cafes

It’s a great option if you:

• Prefer edgy or eclectic fashion
• Enjoy secondhand and vintage shopping
• Want a non-mall, local vibe

Big-Box Stores and Everyday Essentials

For groceries, electronics, home improvement, and bulk purchases, Atlanta has numerous big-box and warehouse stores across the city and nearby suburbs.

Grocery Stores in and Around Atlanta

Major chains with multiple locations in and around the city include:

• Kroger
• Publix
• Walmart Supercenters
• Aldi
• Lidl (in some nearby areas)
• Trader Joe’s (several intown and suburban locations)
• Whole Foods Market (including one in Midtown at 22 14th St NW)

In-town neighborhoods like Grant Park, West Midtown, Buckhead, and Midtown generally have at least one full-service grocery store, along with smaller markets.

When choosing a grocery store in Atlanta, consider:

• Parking vs walkability – Many stores have large lots; some intown stores are more walkable but with tighter parking.
• Traffic patterns – Peak times often align with rush hour; planning around I‑75/85 and I‑285 traffic can save time.
• Public transit access – Some stores near MARTA rail stations are easier to reach without a car.

Big-Box & Warehouse Stores

Around Atlanta and its immediate suburbs you’ll find:

• Large general merchandise retailers (with clothing, electronics, home goods)
• Warehouse clubs requiring membership (commonly used for bulk groceries, fuel, and household items)
• Home improvement stores for tools, gardening, and building materials

Popular corridors for these types of stores include:

• Howell Mill Rd NW in West Midtown
• Cumberland area near Truist Park (just outside the city of Atlanta)
• Perimeter Center near Perimeter Mall
• Camp Creek Parkway southwest of downtown

These areas are helpful for:

• Moving into a new apartment or home and needing household basics
• Buying large items like furniture or electronics
• Running multiple errands in one drive

Specialty Stores and Local Markets

Atlanta also offers a range of specialty and niche stores that can be more convenient or offer products you won’t find in general retail.

Farmers Markets and Food Halls

If you prefer fresh or locally focused food shopping:

• Your DeKalb Farmers Market
  • Large, international-style market popular with many Atlanta residents.
  • Location: 3000 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030
• Atlanta State Farmers Market (in Forest Park)
  • One of the region’s major produce and wholesaling hubs, with some public retail areas.
  • Location: 16 Forest Pkwy, Forest Park, GA 30297

Inside the city, many neighborhoods host weekly farmers markets during warmer months, often featuring:

• Local produce and meats
• Baked goods and prepared foods
• Handmade goods and small-batch products

Food halls such as Krog Street Market and Ponce City Market also function as specialty food shopping spots, with:

• Artisanal groceries
• Prepared meals
• Specialty ingredients (cheeses, cured meats, global flavors)

International and Cultural Grocery Stores

Atlanta’s diversity shows up clearly in its stores. In and around the city, you’ll find:

• Asian supermarkets carrying ingredients from East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia
• Latin American grocery stores with produce, spices, and packaged foods not always available in standard chains
• Specialty African and Caribbean markets in several intown and suburban areas

These stores are especially useful if you:

• Cook regional or international cuisines at home
• Want to explore new ingredients and flavors
• Need specific brands not stocked at large U.S. chains

Outlet Stores Near Atlanta

While there aren’t large outlet centers in Atlanta’s core city limits, many residents and visitors take short drives to nearby outlets for discounted brand-name merchandise.

Common destinations include outlet centers along major interstates radiating from Atlanta, typically within about an hour’s drive. Expect:

• Brand-name clothing and shoe outlets
• Home goods and kitchenware stores
• Seasonal and clearance pricing

If you’re visiting and plan a shopping-heavy trip, it can be worth:

• Scheduling outlets on a lower-traffic day (weekdays or early mornings)
• Combining an outlet trip with a nearby town visit or outdoor activity

Practical Tips for Shopping in Atlanta

To get the most out of stores in Atlanta, Georgia, it helps to understand some local patterns.

Getting Around: Driving vs Public Transit

• Driving is still the default for many shoppers, especially for big-box stores and suburban centers.
• MARTA rail is convenient for:
  • Buckhead (Lenox and Buckhead stations)
  • Midtown (Arts Center, Midtown stations)
  • Downtown (Peachtree Center, Five Points, Civic Center stations)
• Buses fill in many gaps; some routes connect directly to major grocery and shopping centers.

If you don’t have a car:

• Focus on Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, and the BeltLine corridor, where more stores are walkable or transit-accessible.
• Many intown neighborhoods have a mix of small markets, pharmacies, and package stores within walking distance.

Parking and Timing

• Large malls and big-box centers usually offer deck or surface parking; some charge after a grace period or validate with purchase, so check signage.
• During peak shopping seasons and weekends, lots around Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, and Atlantic Station can be crowded.
• Weekday mid-mornings and early afternoons are often easier times to shop, especially for those with flexible schedules.

Safety and Awareness

As in any major city:

• Be aware of your surroundings in parking decks and lots, especially at night.
• Avoid leaving shopping bags and valuables visible in your car.
• Use well-lit entrances and exits, and keep keys handy when walking back to your vehicle.

These are common-sense steps locals use across Atlanta’s shopping areas.

When You Need Specific Types of Stores

Here’s a quick guide to where many Atlanta residents commonly go for particular needs:

• Everyday clothing and shoes
  • Lenox Square, Perimeter Mall, Atlantic Station, Ponce City Market, and neighborhood boutiques.
• Luxury and designer items
  • Phipps Plaza and select stores in Buckhead.
• Groceries and household essentials
  • Neighborhood grocery chains (Kroger, Publix, etc.), warehouse clubs, and nearby big-box retailers.
• Unique gifts and local goods
  • Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Little Five Points, Ponce City Market, and area farmers markets.
• Furniture and home décor
  • Big-box home stores in West Midtown, Buckhead, Cumberland, and Perimeter corridors; plus local furniture showrooms scattered around intown neighborhoods.
• Tourist souvenirs and Atlanta-branded items
  • Downtown shops near Centennial Olympic Park, airport gift shops, and selected boutiques in Ponce City Market and other tourist-friendly districts.

Whether you’re stocking a new apartment, hunting for designer labels, or exploring local boutiques, stores in Atlanta, Georgia offer options for almost every budget and style. Focusing on the right neighborhood—Buckhead for luxury, Midtown and Atlantic Station for convenience, intown eastside for local charm, and big-box corridors for bulk and basics—will help you shop efficiently and make the most of your time in the city.