This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by Crisis Assistance Ministry. Today at Crisis Assistance Ministry, 100 families will seek to avoid eviction or utility loss. You can ensure those neighbors maintain the hope, warmth, and light of home this season.
Sonja Nichols is the owner and president of the Southern Lion, a multi-vendor shopping venue that opened in September in a former Sears building in the Carolina Place Mall in Pineville.
The Southern Lion features many of the same vendors who previously sold goods at the Blacklion Home Furnishings Marketplace that operated for 27 years just a mile away from the new Southern Lion. The Southern Lion is now a pop-up shop in the top floor of the former Sears, but in a few months, the vendor booths will move into their new permanent space in the building's lower level.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Nichols sits down with the Ledger’s Cristina Bolling inside the store to share her insights about what it's been like opening the Southern Lion and what she's learned about business and retail. She also discusses:
The idea to acquire the Blacklion and the process of discovering that the store was for sale.
The transition from Blacklion to Southern Lion.
The challenges Nichols faced, including skepticism from banks and the pressure of being compared to the previous owner.
Southern Lion’s pop-up shop on the top floor and future plans for the bottom floor.
The changing dynamics of consumer preferences across different generations.
Southern Lion’s impact on Carolina Place Mall and its traffic patterns.
We hope you enjoy the conversation with Sonja Nichols.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Need to sign up for this e-newsletter? We offer a free version, as well as paid memberships for full access to all 4 of our local newsletters:
➡️ Opt in or out of different newsletters on your “My Account” page.
➡️ Learn more about The Charlotte Ledger
The Charlotte Ledger is a locally owned media company that delivers smart and essential news through e-newsletters and on a website. We strive for fairness and accuracy and will correct all known errors. The content reflects the independent editorial judgment of The Charlotte Ledger. Any advertising, paid marketing, or sponsored content will be clearly labeled.
Like what we are doing? Feel free to forward this along and to tell a friend.
Social media: On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Sponsorship information/customer service: email support@cltledger.com.
Building the Southern Lion marketplace, with owner Sonja Nichols