‘It’s been a long journey.’ Popular consignment shop in southeast Charlotte closing soon

A Charlotte thrift and consignment shop with over 60 vendors and consignors is closing before the new year.

Sardis Marketplace at Crown Centre Drive will close Dec. 31, the store said recently on social media. Mother and daughter Ruth and Jennifer Purrazzella opened the 20,000-square-foot consignment shop eight years ago in southeast Charlotte near Matthews.

The business has put $3.4 million back into the community by paying consignors and vendors, Sardis Marketplace said in its closing announcement.

“We’ve been able to donate money to countless organizations,” the shop said. “Hundreds of people were able to start their entrepreneurial dreams by becoming vendors at Sardis Marketplace.”

On Tuesday, Ruth Purrazzella said she is planning to retire and her daughter wants to focus on raising her two younger children.

“It’s been a long journey but it’s time to surrender it for now,” Ruth Purrazzella said. “We have great customers, but it’s a lot to manage and we just need a break.”

On Nov. 8, the Purrazzellas sold the 1994 one-story building on over 2 acres for $3.1 million to limited liability company Tron Properties, Mecklenburg County property records show. Ruth Purrazzella said it had been listed for sale for two years.

It’s unclear what the new owners are planning for the property. Efforts to reach the new owners were unsuccessful Tuesday.

The Purrazzellas thanked their vendors, customers and staff. “Our hope is that you continue to support locally owned businesses and that you share our joy in life’s new endeavors for our family.”

Social media reacts to Sardis Marketplace closing

The reaction on social media was a mix of sadness about the closing but filled with well wishes, too.

“Thanks for all you have done for the community,” one person said on Facebook.

“May the very best of life ahead bless all of you in your new ventures,” another person wrote on Facebook. “I have thoroughly enjoyed shopping here in the past years. I’ll be in to see everyone again before the doors close.”

Others shared how Sardis Marketplace touched their lives.

“It is one of cleanest, most spacious, well lighted and well run shopping malls in Charlotte. I loved shopping there,” a former vendor said on Facebook. “Even got a sweet dog there at an adoption event.”