Holiday shopping made easy with Savannah makers at 9th annual Cohen's Retreat Pop-up Party
When Colleen and Sidney Smith purchased Cohen’s Retreat in 2011, they knew they’d made an important community investment. As the property’s new stewards, the Smiths took inspiration from friend, Sandy West, who years prior had transformed Ossabaw Island into a small haven for innovators and intellectuals. The Smiths wanted something like that for their endeavor, and with the help of their son and daughter-in-law, the family fashioned Cohen’s Retreat into a cozy, eclectic hub where good company magically unites with creativity, delicious food and craft beverages.
This weekend, you can be part of the magic, too, when Cohen’s Retreat celebrates its 9th annual fall Pop-up Party. The fun gets underway Nov. 10, with “Girls Night Out,” an indoor evening of music, munchies and vendors. Then, Saturday, Nov. 11, festivities begin with brunch and live music at 10 a.m. and continue through the afternoon with more music, food, adult beverages, lawn games, and nearly 70 local and regional vendors. The event is family-friendly, open to the community and free to attend.
Director of special events and day-to-day operations wizard, Gabby Ballance, came up with the idea for a pop-up artisan show nearly 10 years ago. What started out tiny has bloomed into something mighty.
“This all began with an idea and just 10 vendors,” recalled Ballance. “Each year it got a little bigger, we added music and more vendors, and now we have some of the best artisans in Savannah plus makers from Atlanta and other parts of the South East. The event has really taken on a life of its own. In years past we’ve had 2,000 people on the grounds, and we’re anticipating that many or more this year.”
Crowds increasingly come to the event because of its reputation for showcasing some of the area’s highest quality and best-loved creators. Upcycled clothing, paintings, photography, jewelry, handmade candles and small-batch body care products are just some of what vendors have to offer.
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Amanda Hall and Chelsea Haddad, founders of Savannah-based herbal skincare company Laughing Tansy, consider the pop-up pivotal to their growing success. After years of study, research and formulations, the duo opened for business in 2020, currently best known for their Amber Glow facial serum and Sun Dew moisturizer.
“This is one of the first markets we did after our launch, and it really is special because of the community it brings. It’s so very supportive, and for us it’s like a mini-reunion to see vendors we love,” beamed Hall. “This time we are doing the Girl’s Night Out Friday event, and it will be our first time popping up indoors. We’ll be there Saturday, as well, ready to greet friends and meet new faces.”
Since debuting three years ago, the reach of Laughing Tansy products has expanded across the Southeast and to Connecticut and Colorado in health food stores, boutiques and spas. This November, the skincare mavens introduce their first holiday gift set of popular products Amber Glow, Sun Dew, Carrot Eye Serum and Lip Conditioner.
Emmy Davidian, owner and creator of Tribe + Temple, joins the event for a third year as well. Originally from Los Angeles, Davidian earned her MFA in accessory design from SCAD then immediately headed off to New York where she designed shoes for DSW. COVID, though, redirected her back to Savannah where she ultimately decided to stay and take a chance on her own work.
“I love everyone at Cohen’s,” emphasized Davidian. “There’s an excitement about it, kicking off the holiday season, it’s where I sell a lot of my holiday merchandise. It feels like a tradition that I hope continues in Savannah bringing makers and community together. We look forward to being part of it for many years to come, it’s just so fabulous.”
Davidian creates earrings, key chains and ornaments in bold colors infused with hints of art deco, tropical motifs and impressions from travel.
Pioneering screen printer and multi-talented creative, Lane Huerta, brings her nationally acclaimed, Lovelane Designs, to the party. Huerta, who has created for Anthropologie, Nordstrom, ABC News and many more, is especially revered for her old-school screen print wear for children, all handmade in the Hostess City. Typically, during the early holiday season, Huerta is inundated with work, but she carved out time specifically to be part of this year’s festivities.
“For a number of years, I’ve done makers markets from San Francisco to New York, Florida and Austin, and what Gabby and her team have created here really is impressive,” emphasized Huerta. “They go above and beyond in how they support and bring people together. The turn-out is amazing, and the property is beautiful, perfect for kids and family on a Saturday. It’s really one of the best markets I’ve done.”
Huerta has lived in the Starland neighborhood since 2006 where she finds inspiration for her creations. Currently, she’s at work on a series of workshops and design classes for children and adults to debut soon in the community.
Singer-songwriter, Andrew Gill, headlines the afternoon with his band Junkyard Angel. The group is the original brainchild of Stewart Marshall who toured for over 20 years in Stewart and Winfield. When that band stepped off the road, Marshall landed in Savannah and put together members for Junkyard Angel. In the band’s full glory, seven players rally the stage, but for this performance, five players will be at the helm.
“We like to describe ourselves as “y’all-ternative,” original music peppered with Townes Van Zandt, The Byrds, some Little Feat,”explained Gill. “We do “Poncho and Lefty” but with a modern twist. It’s rhinestone-infused, raw, live music. Think Wilco, a little Son Volt, it’s a good time, and when we get together, it’s more of a family than a dang band. It’s like going golfing with your best friends.”
Junkyard Angel is in the studio working on a couple of singles to be released later this year.
General manager and event beverage director, Nikki Davenport, is excited about the opportunity to showcase smaller liquor brands. Blade and Bow, a craft bourbon distillery in Kentucky, brings a converted horse trailer from which Davenport and a crew of mixologists will be slinging drinks. The team has crafted a pumpkin spice mule for the occasion, available throughout the day at all five bars on the property.
“Our holiday market is where you can do everything,” said Davenport. “It’s family-friendly. There’s great food all day long, plus amazing drinks, and some of the best locally and regionally made gifts anywhere in Savannah. We have a space for everything, and it’s the perfect spot to get a jump on your holiday shopping while enjoying the warm magic of an afternoon with friends and family on the grounds of Cohen’s Retreat.”
If You Go >>
What: Cohen’s Retreat 9th Annual Pop-Up Party
When: Girls' Night Out, 5-9:00 p.m., Nov. 10; All-day Vendor Showcase, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Nov. 11
Where: Cohen’s Retreat, 5715 Skidaway Road, Savannah
Cost: Free to attend
Info: cohensretreat.com/community/
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah makers featured at 9th annual Cohen's Retreat Pop-up Party
