Whimsi, a new artisan market at 322 Mill St., celebrated its grand opening on September 9th, bringing an eclectic blend of art, culture, and craftsmanship to Manning. Owned by Julie and Gerald “G” Lockhart, the store showcases new, handcrafted, and vintage items from 16 artists across South Carolina, all within a two-hour driving radius.
The Lockharts, who moved from Charleston to Manning’s Wyboo Plantation nearly two years ago, found inspiration for Whimsi during a retreat. “Whimsi with an ‘I’ was born, and the idea for an artisan market took shape,” Julie Lockhart explained. With her background in the nonprofit sector and Gerald’s 35-year career in banking, the couple transitioned into entrepreneurship by first running a small booth in a market before expanding into their current space.
“When we realized we had started outgrowing our space and wanted to do something different, we stumbled upon this amazing opportunity to lease this space,” said Julie. The couple envisioned Whimsi as a space where local artisans could showcase their work while also contributing to Manning’s growing arts scene. “We wanted to keep it within South Carolina,” she said, emphasizing the regional focus. “Manning deserves this. We have art and culture here, but we want to grow it.”
The store features a diverse selection of handcrafted items, ranging from pine needle baskets by Blythewood’s Janice Phillips to pottery from Columbia-based artist Jane Couch Osmanowski. Kevin and Naja Clemens of Summerville’s Sugar Peace Studios bring shell trinkets, ornaments, and jewelry to the mix, while Lori Levine’s alcohol ink art adds a vibrant touch.
“We sat down and decided what we wanted this artisan market to look like, what mediums we wanted to feature,” Julie said. “Then we just started sourcing, calling artists, and explaining our vision. One after another, they said, ‘Yes, I think that would be a huge blessing. Manning deserves this.’”
Julie highlighted the thoughtful curation of each artist’s work, explaining that the store offers a wide variety of mediums, including acrylics, oils, watercolors, pottery, photography, and more. “We knew we wanted somebody that worked in all the different mediums,” she said. “We have acrylic on canvas, oil on canvas, watercolor, ink, pottery, and a basket weaver. We’ve really tried to bring something for everyone.”
In addition to the art, Whimsi features gently used and new designer clothing from brands like Lilly Pulitzer LuLuLemon. Julie noted the lack of such items in Manning and the surrounding area. “We have some amazing boutiques here, but we don’t have Tori Burch and Kate Spade,” she said. “I really wanted to start sourcing items that our gals here in Manning would have to drive all the way to Charleston, Florence, or Columbia to get.”
The community’s response to Whimsi’s opening has been overwhelmingly positive. “The excitement is palpable,” Julie said. “The community rallied and welcomed us with open arms. We couldn’t ask for more than that.”
The Lockharts have plans to continue expanding their offerings and look forward to contributing to the growth of Manning’s cultural landscape. “We feel there’s room for growth,” Julie said. “We’re only a week in, so we’re still learning, but the support has been incredible. We hope to continue building on this momentum.”
While they are still navigating the challenges of running a business together, the Lockharts maintain a sense of humor about their partnership. When as what advice would they would give other couples working together, Jule laughed and said, “Can we get back to you on this one?”
Whimsi is open to the public and offers a unique shopping experience that blends local art, fashion, and home décor. With its curated selection of handcrafted goods, the store is set to become a vibrant addition to Manning’s downtown.
