Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Burchstead. They and their team shared their story with us below:
NEW 50+ Vendors Coastal Lifestyle Marketplace Opens on Victory Drive Official Grand Opening / Ribbon Cutting – Mar 2, 2023
Vendors on Victory Launches “12 Months of Giving” Charity Campaign
SAVANNAH, GA The Burchstead Family announced today that Thursday, March 2, 2023, as the date of the Grand Opening / Ribbon Cutting for VENDORS ON VICTORY, a 7000 sq ft, 50+ Vendors Coastal Lifestyle Marketplace. “We are thankful to the community for supporting this new marketplace, home for 50+ local artists, makers, antique dealers, and lifestyle vendors. We sold out of booth space within first 10 days! “Stated Claudia Burchstead, Founder and Owner of VENDORS ON VICTORY, LLC. “We are honored to be chosen as the Charity of Choice for the month of February.” added Weslyn Bowers (Lady Mahogany), Director & Founder of “Blessings in a Book Bag”. For the month of February, in Celebration of Black Heritage Month, Vendors on Victory will donate a percentage of sales to Blessings in Book Bag. 12 Months of Giving is the name of the 12 Month long charity campaign that kicks off with Blessings in A Book Bag. Then for the next 12 months, each month a charity is chosen, and a percentage of sales is donated to that charity. The check presentation for Blessings in Book Bag will be made at the MARCH 2, Thursday 530PM Official Ribbon Cutting. This business is part of the recent revitalization of the Victory Drive area- which now has Whole Foods complex, the Home Depot/Target complex, and the Planet Fitness/Savannah Children’s Theatre complex as well as other stores that have opened along this historic street.
Event Details: Highlights include Live Music, Gourmet Appetizers by local Chefs Door Prizes from local vendors, a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Mayor of Savannah as well as local community and business leaders. Patt Gunn, local Gullah Geechee storyteller will perform a special Gulla Geechee Blessing at the launch of this new community business. Patt Gunn is also one of the vendors in the new lifestyle marketplace where she will be selling traditional Gullah Geechee crafts.
About VENDORS ON VICTORY: Founded by Claudia & David Burchstead, Vendors on Victory has 50+ local vendors offering original Artwork, Antiques, Home Decor, Handmade Crafts, and More! This 7000 sq ft space is also available for private shopping experiences and parties. The goals of the Burchstead Family:
• Be a business incubator and give entrepreneurs a place to grow and thrive
• Give back and support non-profits throughout our community
• Provide a legacy to our sons
SAVANNAH HISTORY: Vendors on Victory is located in Remler’s Corner Shopping Center, at the intersection of Skidaway Road and Savannah’s historic Victory Drive. Remler’s Corner was the FIRST shopping center in Savannah to have parking for cars. Another notable bit of Savannah history: Victory Drive has the longest row of Palm Trees in North America; each was planted to commemorate fallen soldiers of World War I. Vendors on Victory incorporated the palm trees of Victory Drive into their company’s logo design. This iconic Savannah Street made automotive history when it became the home to the first American Grand Prix held in 1908. The revitalization of the Victory Drive business corridor continues with the launch of Vendors on Victory. For more information, visit: www.VendorsonVictory.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We’ve been fortunate to have been embraced by the local community since Day 1. We held an open house for Vendors to look at the space and go over costs and logistics of renting a booth; that same night, we had about 40 vendors put in applications, and We sold out of the 52 booths in less than 10- days! And now have a waiting list of about another 20 vendors. We were originally concerned about parking as our location is just behind the Chick-Fil-A business, which has enormous traffic Mon-Sat. But we have found that their customers, while waiting in line or in their cars -will come over and check out our space. We’re ideally situated between downtown, Ardsley Park, and the Islands (Wilmington, Whitemarsh & Tybee) -so this location allows for easy access.
We provide a Coastal Lifestyle Marketplace for the greater Savannah/Low Country area. Our marketplace is composed of 52 different individual LOCAL business owners who rent a booth space from Vendors on Victory. Vendors on Victory provides the space as well as the sales team to handle sales on-site – including credit card processing and sale tax. We are different from other marketplaces in that we have such a diversity of Vendors. We are especially proud to be the official GALLERY for the OLDEST Art Nonprofit organization in the state of Georgia, The Savannah Art Association (SAA), which like many of our vendors, lost their lease in the historic district due to real estate developments. We are able to provide a cost-effective alternative for them to display artwork for their 120+ LOCAL artists. And having other home decor & furniture booths increases their sales, as people who might go into a traditional art gallery are more likely to purchase art as they are furnishing their homes. We are also proud that 100% of our vendors are LOCAL vendors – no national chains or franchises. Also, 80+ % of our vendors are WOMEN owned and operated. And finally, our most important difference is that Vendors on Victory donates a portion of all sales EACH month to a LOCAL Savannah nonprofit/charity. We have donated a $1000 to Coastal Pet Rescue, The Living Vine (Expectant Mothers), Blessings in a Book Bag (School Children). Each month we host a charity fundraiser to help the Charity of the Month increase their funding, exposure and recruit volunteers. This commitment to the local Savannah Community is completely unique.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking.
We took a risk by deciding to invest in this business. We have had other businesses in the past, but this was our first time doing this specific type of multivendor marketplace. We saw a need / niched in the market when another marketplace with 100+ vendors closed due to their building being sold. This left 100 vendors who needed a place to go. This has been a pattern that we saw in the marketplace, a need for smaller businesses to have a storefront without having to undertake long-term commercial leases and substantial start-up costs.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.VendorsonVictory.com
- Instagram: @VendorsonVIctory
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089504017962
Image Credits
Vendors on Victory
