by Athena Garner

Created on: May 22, 2009   Last Updated: May 26, 2009

Cameron Village in Raleigh, North Carolina celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2009. It opened in 1949 as the first shopping center in the Carolinas. At the time it had three stores and one restaurant in an open air plan. Today, after changing owners a couple of times and undergoing a serious makeover, it boasts five major blocks of stores, banks, restaurants and offices. There are over one hundred establishments in Cameron Village, including clothing stores, restaurants, banks, jewelry stores and a public library.

For women's clothing, there are upscale stores such as White House/Black Market and Talbots as well as a more low-key shopping experience to be found at the thrift shop called the Junior League Bargain Box where donated items are sold at reduced prices to benefit local families in need. For men's shopping there are Jos. A. Banks Clothiers and Wardrobbe. You can shop for high-quality and unique children's clothing at Moxie Kids and Polka Dots. Even the family pet can get a new outfit at La Di Dogs.

Once you've explored the clothing offered at historic Cameron Village, pick up some unique items for your home at the Pirate's Chest Antiques & Interiors or Pier 1 Imports. Seagrove Pottery offers one-of-a-kind items handmade by artisans in a small town in North Carolina where some families have been potters for generations.

If you've headed to Cameron Village to shop, bring along your dry cleaning and that package you need to ship to grandma, because these are just a couple of the services offered by businesses in the shopping center. You can also visit Maupin Travel to plan your next exotic getaway and pick up a movie at Blockbuster Video or North American Video. Don't forget to stop by the Cameron Village Public Library with its self-checkout systems and charming children's section.

As a reward for a hard day's shopping, treat yourself to a meal at Caf Carolina and Bakery, Piccola Italia Pizza & Restaurant, or even McDonald's. You can dine outside under the shade of the numerous trees or stay inside on those hot, southern summer days as you watch the other shoppers stroll past. You're sure to run into a friend or acquaintance or even a local celebrity or two. It will only take you a few minutes to soak up the charm and discover that historic Cameron Village has survived into the twenty-first century and blossomed into an oasis of attractive stores and fine dining.

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