News Summary
The grand opening of Blessingdales Thrift Store in Georgetown marks a significant expansion aimed at supporting women in crisis pregnancies. Community leaders attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, highlighting the store’s commitment to empower women and provide essential resources. All proceeds will benefit The Living Vine, which has been supporting these women since 1996. The new store, boasting over 11,000 square feet, will significantly increase the availability of gently used clothing and household items, while promoting community involvement through donations.
Georgetown welcomed the grand opening of Blessingdales Thrift Store on September 16, 2025, marking an expansion that will significantly bolster support for women in crisis pregnancies. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by community leaders and supporters, emphasizing the store’s commitment to empowering women and providing vital resources.
The event featured notable attendees, including Dawn Rodriguez, the executive director of The Living Vine, and Keith Copeland, director of retail operations at Blessingdales. Also present were Chatham County Commissioner Pat Farrell, alongside representatives from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce. A special highlight of the ceremony was the presence of Mariah and her three-week-old baby, Alina, who are residents at The Living Vine Maternity Home.
All proceeds generated from Blessingdales Thrift Store directly support The Living Vine, which has been operational since 1996. The organization’s mission is to help women experiencing crisis pregnancies, providing essential services and support. The expansion into Georgetown is particularly aimed at empowering women who have chosen life, enhancing the organization’s outreach and capability.
The new Georgetown location boasts an impressive size of 11,214 square feet, significantly larger than the original Savannah store, which encompasses 8,800 square feet. This increased space allows the Georgetown store to carry up to 15,000 garments, tripling the capacity of the Savannah location. This significant expansion is set to increase the availability of gently used clothing and household items for community members.
With the two Blessingdales stores combined, they now employ 25 staff members, including four mothers from The Living Vine. Additionally, a dedicated team of 12 regular volunteers contributes approximately 50 hours of service each week, demonstrating strong community involvement and support for the mission.
To further support both stores, donations of gently used clothing and household items are welcomed and encouraged. Donations can be made at each store’s designated drop-off area, which is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. This initiative allows community members to actively participate in helping those in need while promoting sustainable practices.
The Living Vine’s extensive mission includes providing housing, meals, and life skills training for mothers facing challenging circumstances. Under the leadership of Keith Copeland, both stores have experienced retail growth at an impressive rate of 20% year over year, with an overall growth of 40% since the expansion began.
As the new store opens its doors, it extends an invitation to community members to shop for gently used goods, with all proceeds benefiting The Living Vine’s programs. Individuals interested in learning more about The Living Vine and its initiatives can find additional information on their website.
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Blessingdales Thrift Shop Expands with New Location
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- Carriage Trade PR
- Wikipedia: Thrift Store
- Savannah Business Journal
- Google Search: Blessingdales Thrift Store
- WJCL News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thrift Store
- Connect Savannah
- Google News: Blessingdales Thrift Store
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
