Nancy Novogrod
Charleston Historic District
The Manner caught up with Nancy Novogrod, the former editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure and House & Garden, who began her esteemed publishing career in the fiction department of the New Yorker. So it’s no surprise to find out she recently joined the board of the prestigious Charleston Literary Festival, which takes place November 7th-16th. The festival which began in 2017 hosts an impressive roster of authors and writers at readings, talks and panels. This year guests include Joyce Carol Oates, Adam Gopknik, and Colum McCann to name a few.
Over the years, Novogrod has served as a trustee at her alma-mater Mount Holyoke, the New York Botanical Gardens as well as the American Academy of Rome. And although Novogrod continues to travel the world—she seems to be boarding a plane every time we speak—she put down roots in the Holy City not too long ago, purchasing a house in Charleston’s Historic District in June 2021. (She moved in December 2023.) “The building dates from 1747 and demanded a lot of attention,” says Novogrod, who now splits her time between leafy Connecticut and Charleston. Novogrod, who is an expert in uncovering gems all over the world, gives us some of her favorite spots in Charleston.
Post House
Bowens Island Restaurant
Q. What are some of your favorite dining spots?
A. Obstinate's Daughter on Sullivan’s Island and Post House Inn in Mount Pleasant are both great brunch spots. At Obstinate Daughter, it’s Frogmore chowder, shrimp roll, and polenta frites, which is my absolute favorite. At The Post House, it’s crab toast, seasonal quinoa vegetable bowl, and a backbar cheeseburger—my husband’s standard order. Bowen’s Island Restaurant is great for fried shrimp and clams. It’s a little down and dirty but a fun time.
Q. The Charleston Literary festival is coming up? Do you have a favorite book shop?
A. Blue Bicycle is a fabulous resource for vintage and more recent books from classic fiction and history to design and nature. I have found cookbooks I’ve coveted there and art books in great condition I would have been tempted to buy at full price. They also feature new releases and paperback reprints by South Carolina authors from Pat Conroy to the Lee Brothers.
Hampden
Q. King Street is brimming with shops. Where do you like to shop?
A. For clothing stores Hampden and RTW on King Street have great selections—like what you find in shops in Manhattan. But I am intrigued by this new shop Nette near Hampton Park which has a mix of younger designer labels. I was looking for a shoe repair shop and I stumbled upon WORN, a great men’s consignment shop in Mount Pleasant. There are a lot of great brands like Gucci and Ralph Lauren for men, but I still picked up this amazing Louis Vuitton tote there. So this is a new, fun discovery.
Q. Any museums that are off the beaten path?
A. My grandchildren visit so I am always looking for things to do and the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry is a nice place to spend an afternoon with them.