How to Shop at AmericasMart Atlanta

Insider Access to the City’s Once-Secret Wholesale Market

By Mary Welch

Last Updated October 7, 2025

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In “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory,” Charlie found the Golden Ticket, allowing him access to Willie Wonka’s beloved chocolate factory. For years, the Golden Ticket in Atlanta was access to AmericasMart, where you could shop for the latest in fashion, furniture, home accessories, gifts, rugs, home decor and gourmet foods — all at wholesale or deeply discounted prices.

Everything you could dream of for yourself, friends and home was at AmericasMart and, let’s say it again, at wholesale or below prices. But, in an example of life’s unfair ironies, the public wasn’t allowed to access AmericasMart to shop, only wholesale retailers were allowed.

So close yet so far.

For decades, the three buildings that make up AmericasMart, a part of famed local architect John Portman’s Peachtree Center complex, were closed to the public. However, now that’s all changed, as the general public, as well as conventioneers, have access to AmericasMart’s showrooms. 

What is AmericasMart?

First, let’s explain what exactly AmericasMart is and what makes it so special. AmericasMart has more than 1,000 permanent showrooms (and hundreds of temporary ones during shows) and holds 16 annual markets where manufacturers and designers showcase their upcoming product lines. Retail buyers (meaning people who have stores) check out the latest styles, trends and new products, decide what their customers would like and then place orders. The orders then could take weeks to months to manufacture and ship to the stores.

In other words, the orders placed by buyers in the July market, for instance, will probably be on stores’ racks and shelves in the winter. Bridal gowns shown in the March and August Formal markets will be worn by blushing brides walking down the aisle in June.

Where and how to shop at AmericasMart?

Those wanting to take advantage of Atlanta’s most exclusive shopping destination can head over to AmericasMart Building 3, Floors 6 and 7, where more than 100 showrooms are filled with heavily discounted merchandise from domestic and international vendors. The floors are open to the general public Monday through Friday, except when there is a market going on.

Unlike markets where buyers place orders and receive them weeks later, you take home what you buy immediately.

Floor 6

Floor six features an impressive selection of fine jewelry showrooms, where you can purchase everything from loose diamonds and gemstones to gold and silver jewelry, pearls and watches. Thinking of buying an engagement ring? The sixth floor offers a wide selection — and we can’t say this enough — at reduced prices. Expert jewelers can even create custom pieces.

Floor 7

Floor seven is home to a wide range of products, including women’s apparel, handbags, luggage, fashion accessories, jewelry, gifts and designer eyewear. I have personally bought Ray-Ban, Burberry and Oakley sunglasses from one of the showrooms.

How to Get Access to AmericasMart to Shop?

Individuals and groups can take advantage of a day of shopping. For individuals, visit the registration desk in Building 3, present your identification, receive a badge and let the shopping fun begin.

Of course, shopping with friends and associates is so much more fun, and that’s why AmericasMart has partnered with The Sweeney Zone, where groups, as small as 10 or as large as several thousand, can have a shopping adventure.

The Sweeney Zone offers a curated shopping experience, where, for $38 per person ($34 for teachers and military personnel), convention attendees can shop on Floors 6 and 7 in Building 3. They will also receive a $12 lunch voucher, an orientation briefing and full custom catering services. A Sweeney Zone team member is also available to assist with navigating the shopping experience.

Frankly, you don’t even have to be part of a convention; simply get 10 friends together and enjoy. An added benefit is that, especially for conventioneers who have to attend meetings, they can shop — or browse — and then return later in the day to make purchases. It’s good for a whole day of in-and-out shopping. 

What is ADAC?

For those more interested in sofas than diamonds, head over to Peachtree Hills, a neighborhood in Buckhead, and shop at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC).

ADAC is a one-stop shopping resource for interior designers, architects, builders and — you. It has more than 65 showrooms that offer more than 1,400 products, including furniture, fabrics, lighting, tiles, art and home theater products.

How to shop at ADAC?

Unlike AmericasMart, where the showrooms are closed during mart days, ADAC welcomes visitors every Monday through Friday. While ADAC is open year-round, there are some special dates to put on your calendar.

The most popular events are the Sample Sales, which take place for three days in March and August, where the showrooms offer items at — you guessed it — deeply discounted prices. For those who want insight into the latest, check out Digital Day at ADAC in March and Discover ADAC in September, which features panel discussions, book signings and keynote presentations. You can learn and shop — bonus.

Don’t let your shopping spree stop there. Find more shopping in Atlanta.

Mary Welch is an award-winning writer who has reported on the maturity off Atlanta’s culinary and hospitality scene as well as its growth as a sophisticated international city. Her byline has been seen in local and national outlets such as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Travelgirl, Global Atlanta, and American Lawyer covering topics such as travel, business, cars, law, hospitality and education. She co-authored a book with Chuck Leavell, the keyboardist for the Rolling Stones and a Georgia tree farmer, on the future of the American forest.

Originally Published October 6, 2025