Charlotte Shines with the Grand Opening of Southern Lion
Entrepreneur Sonja Nichols takes an opportunity and blossoms it into a beautiful new marketplace.
Southern Lion Roars Into Business
On July 13, 2024, Charlotte bore witness to the grand opening of Southern Lion, a fresh new venture by self-made entrepreneur Sonja Nichols. The vibrant marketplace stands tall in the former Sears space located at the Carolina Place Mall, Pineville. This grand event saw guests captured in awe as they set foot in the capacious building, indulging in the finely procured assortments from over 150 local vendors.
Bringing together the best
Southern Lion is a unique example of innovative thinking, where anti-fragility meets opportunity. Nichols was quick to note the potential when the Blacklion, a cherished staple of the south Charlotte community, closed its doors in 2023. The announcement left many local artists and vendors bereft of a space to share their talents. Dominion seemed to have a plan in place as Nichols felt a calling into retail, offering these local creators a new home.
Speaking on her journey, Nichols shared, “I’ve done a lot of community work, philanthropic work, but I just decided, I’m ready to do something that I would actually make money doing it versus me always raising money.”
Overcoming Obstacles
The journey to success is rarely a straight path, and Nichols faced her fair share of speed bumps, including obtaining a crucial loan. After initial rejections, true to the saying, “When one door closes, another opens,” Nichols found her savior in Kevin Dale, the senior vice president at Truist Bank. Dale’s childhood memories of Blacklion helped him connect with Nichols’ vision, and he chose to support the transformation.
Defying all odds, Nichols kept her faith, “…it has been hard, it has been tiring. It has also been the most fantastic adventure I could have gone on in my entire life.”
The Vision for Southern Lion
Positioning itself as a one-stop shop, Southern Lion offers a montage of everything local, from furniture and home decor to art, plants, carpentry, concrete crafts and design. Besides, there’s also a unique ‘man cave’ called The Lion’s Den, a comfy zone with BarcaLoungers for those who wish to relax while watching TV. For the palate, there are vending machines teeming with offerings from Charlotte-based caterer, Something Classic.
The venture is already a runaway hit with shoppers, and Nichols is positive that this is just the beginning. She has her sights set on an antique shop called Metro Lion on the upper floor and plans to broaden the Southern Lion brand further.
Southern Lion is More Than Just a Hub
For Nichols, Southern Lion is more than just a business. It’s the embodiment of a legacy, a reimagining of Blacklion, and a testament to Charlotte’s thriving and resilient community. It is this vision that motivates her and the team to keep providing excellent service and building upon the success.
“The Southern Lion is the bomb, and I’m clear,” says a radiant Nichols. Be it carrying forth a legacy, shaping up a vibrant community space, or making a difference in the lives of local creatives, Nichols and the Southern Lion are here to make a grand mark.
