A Walk Along Bull Street

Written by Ky Tanella, Photographs courtesy of Ally Miller-Henson

Savannah is filled with so many streets, dozens of annoying one-ways, and some beautiful historic houses to stumble upon on your walk to your favorite coffee shop. However, there’s one walk that we always find ourselves returning to – our favorite street.

Hey, I’m Ky! My favorite street in Savannah is probably Bull Street. I know it’s super long and stretches all the way from the River to the Starland District, but I’m going to take you through some of my favorite highlights, my favorites in every district. If you’re in the mood for a two-mile walk, let me take you on this journey!

As I’m savoring my last few months living at Drayton Towers, I tend to find the beauty in walking everywhere – to work, to the park, to a coffee shop, and especially downtown. Let’s start at one of my favorite places in the Starland District.

The Starland District

Riverside Tattoo Parlor – As a proud owner of twelve tattoos and a visitor of 4 different shops, I can say Riverside is my favorite. It may be a little expensive, but the artistry that goes on here is absolutely on another level – I’m in love with every single tattoo I’ve gotten here. It’s also very relaxing and comforting in that shop, and most of the tattoo artists are women or non-binary folk, so it’s a safer place for those more comfortable in women-led spaces.
Henny Penny – If you’re ever on your way to Arnold Hall, on your break, or in-between classes, I highly recommend stopping at Henny. Their coffees and teas are always super well-made, and they provide so many vegan options for those who find it difficult to find vegan spaces in Savannah. Their vegan donuts are top notch.
Starlandia – In case you don’t know, Starlandia is essentially a thrift store for your art supply needs, these supplies come pre-loved and in great condition. (This option would’ve been great to know about my freshman year before dropping $200 at Blick) It’s also a very maximalist space, and has everything you could think of – from pens, to 35mm film, to cool craft supplies.
Lite Foot – This is a recent development in the Starlandia district, and if you haven’t checked it out, I highly recommend it. Lite Foot is a sustainability store that encourages no-waste and sustainable living – essentially, they have refill stations and reusable containers for things like laundry detergent, facial cleanser, etc. They also provide lots of reusable items like food-storage bags, and cleaner options like bamboo brushes, shampoo bars, and block dish soap. If you’ve been attempting to get into your sustainability era, this is a great place to start.
Stump – A beautiful plant store that sits right next to Bull Street Taco, you’ll never want to get your plants from anywhere else. The staff is so helpful, and you can go in for help with anything – from the chronic plant killer to the plant mom expert; you’ll be able to find whatever you need in this gorgeous store.

East Victorian District

Walking up Bull Street, you’ll see the beautiful historic mansions that reside up and down Drayton and Whitaker Street. This is probably my favorite time to seek out these homes, as the Jasmine Flowers are beginning to bloom and just add a beautiful pop of color to the brick walls and spiraling stairs.

Brighter Day – A deli, wellness center, and grocery store all packed into one tiny space, I find myself frequenting this store while on my daily walks through Forsyth. It can get a little expensive, and it’s definitely on the healthier side of living, but they have so many options for so many dietary restrictions – such as dairy free, vegan, gluten free, vegetarian, etc.
Neighborhood Comics – A little hidden gem is right next to White Whale and has a super friendly staff with lots of amazing/diverse comic books if that’s your style!
Forsyth Farmers Market – Every Saturday morning, the park is split into craft, trinket, jewelry vendors and farm and food vendors. It’s something I happily look forward to on the weekends. I’ve gotten some of my favorite bits and bobs at some crochet and handmade jewelry stations, as well as some awesome fresh veggies, meats and cheeses from local vendors. I highly recommend it, but if you’re easily overstimulated like me, I’d advise you to bring some headphones.

Downtown

The Book Lady Book Store – This cute little bookstore is right next to a vintage store, my poor wallet! They have a lot of used options as well, and it’s such a cute, dimly lit bookstore with so many great options, it feels just like a bookstore should.
Olfactory Company – Savannah has a lot of metaphysical and witchy stores, but I’ve always loved the Olfactory Company’s weird vibe and charm. They have everything you’d want in a metaphysical store – books, crystals, candles – but they also have some statues and art that just catch your eye every time.
Gallery Espresso – This is my favorite coffee shop in Savannah. Particularly because I have so many memories with my boyfriend attached to it, but that’s for another time. The vibes are vibing for sure in here, with chairs and tables that look like they were thrifted and new art up on the wall every few months. It’s normally very crowded, so get there early if you want to find a table. Their sandwiches and coffee are also top-notch, and you’ll usually find dozens of SCAD students chipping away at their workload.
Sushi Hanna – I’ve been going to Sushi Hanna basically once a month since my first quarter at SCAD. I may be biased as to whether or not it’s the best place to get sushi, but it’s definitely affordable, and they have so many options on the menu!
E Shavers – My favorite book store in Savannah (sorry, Book Lady) by far – the layout is so calming and comforting, and they have such an amazing range of books. They also have lots of cats roaming around, and they’re entirely pettable, especially when you catch one in the few reading areas they have around the shop.

Anyways, enough of my yapping (even though I could’ve chosen a dozen more landmarks on this street.)

What’s your favorite street in Savannah?