3 Best Shopping in The South Shore, Kauai

The original Lawai General Store got a face-lift and now offers grab-and-go breakfast and lunch, groceries, sundries, a good selection of beer and wine, and a coffee/smoothie bar. At the gateway between the South Shore and the West Side, it's a fine spot to provision for adventures in the mountains or at the shore. Locals and condo renters alike stop by for farm produce, local beef, and house-baked bread, or to refuel with an acai bowl on the porch.

The storefront café has closed, but Monkeypod's award-winning preserves made from tropical fruits can be found at its "provisions cottage" tucked away in Lawai. In winery fashion, you can sign up for a tasting ($10; deducted from purchase) and then buy jars. At weekly classes, people cook jelly, jam, curd, chutney, salsa, or pickles, depending on what's in season. Or you can learn to make local favorites like Spam musubi, poke bowls, and coconut mochi. A six-week produce plan is perfect for folks staying on the Garden Island for a longer winter escape. At this writing, weekly tastings, shopping, and classes are by appointment, though this could change.

An old warehouse has new life as a marketplace for a dozen creative entrepreneurs and as a hub for food trucks. Hand-printed clothing, authentic lauhala hats, boho chic jewelry, letterpressed cards, specialty food products, and locally crafted soaps are offered at the oft-changing microshops. On Second Saturday evenings each month, craft vendors, farmers, take-out food cooks, and musicians join the shops. Locals and visitors mingle at picnic tables outside.