Looking for a birthday gift or early Christmas present? This City Editor would suggest going beyond the ordinary— home goods store Southern Lion at Carolina Place Mall in Pineville is now open.

An opportunistic shopper could easily spend hours touring the 80,000 sqft of vendor booths touting a large, eclectic collection of unique furniture, lights, decorations, and home and garden items — with a charming touch of Southern hospitality — all under one roof.

Southern Lion is now open at Carolina Place Mall at 11033 Carolina Pl. Pkwy. in Pineville. | Photo by CLTtoday

Visitors needing a break from shopping can enjoy a coffee or snack at the Southern Lion Cafe, nestled in the back of the store + a “man cave” with TVs and lounge chairs.

Store hours

Monday–Saturday: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sunday: 12–6 p.m.

The grand opening on Saturday, July 13 was met with excitement and support from local leaders as the ribbon was cut.

Where one chapter ends another begins. When the popular home decor store Blacklion closed its doors in 2023, Southern Lion offered many of its retailers a place to go.

Southern Lion owner Sonja Nichols cut the ribbon for Southern Lion's grand opening, with the help of her son. | Photo by CLTtoday

Leading the effort was Southern Lion's owner, Sonja Nichols, who is president of the Women’s Impact Fund, a civic group, and sits on the current UNC system Board of Governors. "I would not have any success without the phenomenal staff that I have," said Nichols who credited the merchants who helped make the Southern Lion dream a reality.

Nichols told the crowd she desires for Southern Lion to be a win for small businesses in the Charlotte region + a shopping destination for the community of Pineville.

"This is a small business incubator," said Nichols. "This fabulousness would not be possible without the brains, talent, skills, and tenacity of the business owners that are in here."