A trio of new retail shops have opened at the Cotton Exchange.

Local candle company White Lake Wicks, women’s clothing store Beloved, and home décor and gift store By The Boardwalk have all opened in recent months.

In April, the Cotton Exchange welcomed By The Boardwalk, offering home decor and gift items created by owner Rebecca Chipman, her husband, Keith Chipman, and others. Products include hand-tooled and hand-sewn leather journals, briefcases, purses, iPad covers and other leather products, plus nautical pieces, wood signs, pillows, photographs, paintings and tea towels.

"I liked the historic downtown area, and I thought the Cotton Exchange would fit well with my merchandise," Chipman said about her choice of a new location, adding that she also like the historical aspects of the Cotton Exchange, 321 N. Front St., itself. The collection of boutique shops consists of eight restored buildings, some dating back to the 1860s.

Chipman, whose store used to be at Old Wilmington City Market at 119 S. Water St., said she thought the customer traffic for her store would also increase with her move to the Cotton Exchange.

White Lake Wicks opened in March and features more than 70 scents of natural soy candles as well as scented candle melts. The shop also features assorted candle and melt warmers with mix-and-match bulk melt options coming soon. All candles are hand-poured by store owners Sandy and Wayne Reynolds.

Beloved, a young woman’s clothing store that describes itself as “for the free spirited, adventure seekers, and creative hearts,” features clothing inspired by city life and the sea. Owner Kelsey Light studied fashion at East Carolina University before working in the fashion industry in New York. Beloved opened in early April.

The recent additions leave three retail spots still available, ranging from 505 to 1,644 square feet, in the Cotton Exchange, according to a release.

Cece Nunn contributed to this story.