The Boykin sisters bring fine china and fun gifts to Augusta Road
A glance at their names—Bryan Boykin and Garris Boykin—and you might think they are boys. The sisters have heard it all their lives, so they thought it was a fitting name for their decidedly feminine shop on Augusta Road.
Offering fine china, unique gifts, and a very popular registry, The Boys opened in Augusta Village in October, just a few months after “the boys” graduated from Clemson University, Garris with a bachelor’s degree and Bryan with an MBA. They always dreamed of opening a shop together, and their mother always inspired them with beautifully set tables, so when the opportunity arose, they grabbed it.
“We balance each other out very well,” Garris says. “This was definitely always the dream. It just happened a bit sooner than we thought it was going to.”
“We have different skill sets, and we felt very prepared,” Bryan adds. “We thought, we can do this.”
Top items
Their top seller is Ginori china imported from Italy. “These take six months to get in, but we have stock in it,” Garris says. “They all mix and match together. Many brides do cream or white as a base but with a colorful salad plate.”
Other popular gifts include Fieldbar coolers—prized for their light weight, elegant design, and signature colors—and match strikers. “These are really popular, and you can mix and match the matches to fit the season,” Garris says. “They are pretty pieces of decor but functional as well.”
When it was time to select candles, the girls both wanted Votivo, a brand that took them back to their childhood. “Our mom always had Votivo while we were growing up, so we wanted to have the brand in the shop. We made a few calls and found out they were made nearby in Spartanburg.”
“The Boys” love their spot in Augusta Village, with shops like Bella Bridesmaids and Roan as neighbors, and have enjoyed becoming part of the retail community. “This was our first choice of location, and we love it here,” Garris says. “It’s been the biggest blessing.”
Table Tips from The Boys
- There are no rules, but take a theme and stick to it. Colors don’t have to match but they should be balanced.
- Carefully consider your charger. “I prefer a heavy wood charger to balance out the patterns and colors, so it keeps you connected to the table,” Bryan Boykin says.
- Mix high and low. “The runner or placemat can be paper,” Garris Boykin says. “Some of our plates are expensive, but it’s good to mix items and find things that work for everyone, being able to play with different pieces and price ranges.”
- Don’t be stuck to one pattern. “In our mom’s day, you got the five-piece set of china and it was all the same,” Garris says. “We don’t sell anything by five-piece place settings; it’s all individual pieces.”
Find Them
1818 Augusta St. Ste 101, Greenville (Augusta Village)
theboysgreenville.com
Instagram: @theboysgvl
