Year of The Horse: My Aiken Favorites

My daughter Daphne and I moved to Aiken - a beautiful and charming horse town in South Carolina a year and a half ago. We lived in Charleston, SC a long time and after sampling a few New England winters again, decided to make our way south like the New Yorkers of yesteryear, a place with the same charming southern flavor, but a new elixer.

Aiken is historically known as a winter colony for equestrians - a place where many families from the Northeast wintered with their horses, piling on train cars for the season from New York City with all their belongings, their staff and their equestrian accoutrements to enjoy all kinds of outdoor sports from fox hunting to polo to show jumping, all activities that are still a huge part of the Aiken equestrian lifestyle today. This accounts for some of the beautiful, historic homes downtown that provided elaborate winter retreats in our mild, palatable climate. Aiken is also surrounded by over 2,000 acres of beautifully preserved woodlands whose sandy trails make for perfect riding, walking and hunting adventures. Pictured below are the namesakes Thomas and Louise Hitchcock who originally purchased the land for hunting. (Today it is preserved and managed by The Hitchcock Woods foundation). 

I've spent many a happy moment both walking and galloping through the sandy trails. I was fortunate to become a member of The Aiken Hounds my first winter, the oldest drag hunt in the United States. Each Tuesday and Saturday the Aiken Hounds descend upon the woods riding behind a number of creatively named and eager hounds, weaving through the tall pines to sniff out the scent of fox. Below, was my first hunt (and also the horse's first hunt, an unfortunately named young thoroughbred just off the track named Crash My Party). Crash made three hunts with me before he found his way to a new home, and though handsome, he may have been a little green for such endeavors and his name made everyone on the hunt nervous.

Being part of the drag hunt in Hitchcock Woods is like time traveling to another era - and is beautiful, peaceful and exciting all at once. Fox hunting is not for everyone, as each hunt has it's own unpredictable elements and follows a unique line, dragged that morning by diligent volunteers. The pace varies and though you can choose how fast and at what level to ride, sometimes horses have a mind of their own. Hearing the brass horns echoing through the trees, the whips cracking on the ground and the hounds howling on the scent is a lot of stimulation for creatures known for the ability to quickly flee danger and can make for some very exciting and nail biting mornings and afternoons. Hence why so many people bring flasks along to calm their nerves.

The Hitchcocks also brought to Aiken one of the oldest horse shows in the country The Aiken Horse Show, also known as The Horse Show In The Woods. Set in a grassy arena a ways into the entrance to Hitchcock Woods it is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque horse shows in the country. Each year there is an opening cocktail party to kick off the show which looks like something out of a fairytale. All proceeds benefit the The Hitchcock Woods foundation dedicated to maintaining and preserving the woods.

If you don't own a horse in Aiken, it is really no matter since if you live here more than a month, someone will lend, donate or ask you to ride one of theirs and you'll find yourself in the saddle before you know it, as I did on my first hunt with Crash. One of our favorite Aiken horses made a guest appearance at my Downtown Shop opening, a Canadian Morgan hose named Immortal Fury who belongs to a friend of mine. Fury, for short. Fury is an endurance horse who, in spite of his name has an incredibly docile and patient demeanor and has been known to have explored all corners of Downtown Aiken, making frequent tript to The Willcox Hotel that conveniently has hitching posts out front, as unfortunately they are not allowed inside.

My shop, Candy Shop Vintage, Downtown on a side street is a version of the shop I had in Charleston for five years, albeit with a little bit of an equestrian twist. We have our jewelry collections, some beautiful vintage pieces, a selection of vintage clothing, accessories and a rotating selection of Aiken inspired accessories and decor. Next season, I'll be adding a section dedicated to vintage hunt clothes. I've been incredibly grateful for how supportive the local community has been, shopping, consigning or even just visiting with us to say hi and welcoming us. We are open Tuesdays-Saturdays 10:30AM-5PM (Fury is not often there but if you are lucky he may make an appearance). 

Another favorite shop if mine down The Alley just a couple blocks from my store is Scotch & Hutch is owned by a friend and designer, Chaz Harpman. Chaz logged a number of years in the horse world, traveling and collecting antiques. He landed back in Aiken and we coincidentally opened our shops almost simultaneously - they are like brother and sister stores. He has an amazing selection of furniture and vintage and antique art and accessories, as well as a selection of vintage men's clothing. 

Chaz is also an incredible interior designer and he can be enlisted to bring his taste and energy to any interior project you might dream up, commercial or residential. 

Also locally owned and charming is True Aiken, an upscale boutique for all things Aiken, artfully curated and designed by equestrian and owner Sarah Dodge. It's my go to shop for fun and whimsical and chic Aiken gifts.

And you can't walk down Laurens Street without meandering through the cavernous Aiken Antiques Mall, which is like the gift that keeps on giving. I think I have furnished half my house from there as have most Aiken residents. It is always a challenge trying to limit the number of hose themed items in your home here, and the Aiken Antiques mall does not make this easier.

If you are strolling through Downtown and looking for something on the healthier side, you can grab a smoothie next door to our shop at Elevate Aiken.

And not so healthy, but charming is the new soft serve place on the corner of Laurens and Hayne next door to us, Sweet B's:

Head towards the Willcox to the charming French bistro meets polo themed cafe just adjacent to The Willcox for lunch, called La Parisianne.  My go to is a double chocolate croissant called a chocolate avalanche.

And one of my daughter's favorite spots is a shaved ice cafe on Laurens whose thematic decor belies their tasty array of shaved iced desserts - The Vampire Penguin. Perfect for the long, hot Southern Aiken summers.

We also love Charleston owner backed Park Ave Oyster Bar, reminiscent of one of my favorite oyster bars in Charleston (The Ordinary). They also host an equestrian night every Tuesday which makes for a fun gathering spot during horse season.

And not far from my house downtown, a Miami chef opened an outpost of Italian favorite Macaluso's in a sweet, two story house. The meatballs are a favorite, and there is an adorable bar on the second floor to enjoy a glass of wine before or after dinner.

Probably one of my favorite hidden gems for a meal is Track Kitchen nestled deep within the horse district near the Aiken training track. Think the soup nazi meets your favorite diner for no fuss breakfast amongst the horse crowd with a smattering of vintage equestrian posters and artwork on the walls.

The center of Aiken's social life and a hub for visitors is the historic and award winning Willcox Hotel whose bar, lobby and restaurant serves as a gathering place on a nightly basis. They have a great cocktail and mocktail menu and light bites at the bar. Hitch your horse and go in for a drink and sit by the fire amongst the plush sofas or book a table for a more formal dinner in their dining room. It's especially charming during the Holiday season when the fires are going and their big Christmas tree is set up inside. Thursday nights there is a live band and piano player which makes for a festive, local experience.

If you are a resident, or know one you'll inevitably end up at The Green Boundary, a beautiful old southern club on the famous Whisky Road at the entrance to the horse district. Stepping inside feels like going back in time and its stately entrance and great reciprocal membership options are a welcome feature of Aiken.

A great deal of Aiken's socializing revolves around horses - obviously! One of the more raucous and classic events is the Aiken Steeplechase. A horse race in the grass that happens twice a year in the spring and fall. The Spring race is always more heavily attended and happens rain or shine. This year, you can find Candy Shop Vintage in the vendor village where our shop will be camped out for the day. Grab one of our hats and go watch from the rails, it's a blink and you'll miss it day of racing, drinking and shopping.

And nearly every Sunday you can watch polo at one of a handful of polo fields around Aiken. My favorite is the historic Aiken Polo Club where I host a tent and set up for the day. You can also buy a ticket and enjoy brunch under the pavilion - a perfect Sunday afternoon. There is a lot to love about living here and it feels pretty much like a whirlwind of equestrian events that kick off in the fall and don't miss a beat until late spring. 

The master of Aiken Hounds has been known to end his toasts at brunch on Saturdays with the saying "If you're lucky enough to live in Aiken, you're lucky enough." And it's hard not to agree.