Despite Saks leaving, King Street's retail scene continues to evolve

King Street is one of the great shopping destinations in the South.

It's our Fifth Avenue. Our Rodeo Drive.

When I was in college up in Columbia, we'd drive the 100 miles to Charleston every time we needed a dress for a formal event. People come here from Myrtle Beach, Greenville, Savannah. Just to go shopping on King Street.

So the recent news about Saks leaving town has put me in a bit of a funk.

It doesn't even matter that, as a friend pointed out, "You don't even shop there!" Not the point. I just liked knowing Saks was there. It was an option. And, actually, I do shop there. Every summer, I've treated myself to a new Chanel nail polish. This year, it's Tendresse, a pale pink that looks smashing with a tan.

Over the past week and a half, I've had several conversations with people about Saks leaving and Forever 21 taking its place. I think, in general, most of them are excited although H&M was mentioned wistfully a few times.

But something strange happens. We inevitably start talking about what we'd like to see on King Street, and everyone seems to have a shortlist. It's like the retail version of fantasy baseball.

Anthropologie is, without question, at the top of the list. I mean, really, is there any other city more suited to the pretty, feminine clothing, slightly retro accessories and cute-as-a-button housewares than Charleston?

Sephora was another store on people's wish list, including my own, and we've kind of gotten our wish. A new outpost just opened in the JCPenney store in Northwoods Mall in North Charleston. So ... there you go.

Tiffany's has been mentioned to me a couple times as a possible tenant in Charleston Place, which I think would be a good fit.

Personally, I'd like to see a Crate & Barrel downtown. The old Millenium Music space would be perfect, and I'd like a bar to open on the roof again because you can never have enough rooftop bars in this town. If not Crate & Barrel, I'd also be happy with Restoration Hardware or an IKEA out in the 'burbs somewhere.

Other stores on my fantasy list include bringing back Estella Vitae, Mio Stile and B'zar; a Charleston branch of the wonderful Savannah store Paris Market; a shop full of Isabel Marant's clothes, which I'm currently obsessed with; the weird Gargoyle place that used to be on Newbury Street in Boston; London Sole for their super-cute ballet flats; and, of course, because I love it so much, Barney's.

Saks will definitely be missed, but King Street's retail scene keeps evolving, which is not a bad thing. Actually, it's kind of exciting to think what might come next.

Please, I'm begging you, Retail Powers That Be, let it be an Anthropologie.