May 2025: Issue 4

Owner: Sidney Lance
Contact: Instagram/ @rhootmanco • Facebook/ Rhoot Man Beverage Company  Website: Rhootmanco.com

Sidney is a dear friend of our founder Cari Phelps. She recalls running into the 21 year Savannah local and Army Vet, right after the onset of COVID in the spring of 2020. Sidney was working at a local distillery and was earning a name for himself in the craft cocktail scene in Savannah. Like all of us, the pandemic shifted his world and he immediately took action, launching a line of shrubs. Cari was familiar with the history of this drink and celebrated Sidney, a Food & Beverage industry veteran since 2006, taking on the tradition with an innovative twist. You'll always get a infectious laugh and a huge bear hug when you run into Sidney. Sidney lives in Savannah with his "wife and two wonderful teenage daughters, and yes, we can’t forget Nucky, our little fur baby."

The Shrub is no longer history.
Shrubs, a historical drink, evolved from a method of preserving fruit in vinegar, especially popular in 17th and 18th century England. They gained popularity in colonial America as a non-alcoholic alternative to traditional beverages. Shrubs were a common and popular drink, often made with local fruits like berries and cherries, and used as a refreshing beverage. Shrubs faded out of favor with the advent of refrigeration and commercially produced drinks but have experienced a resurgence in recent years as part of the cocktail revolution. 

Tell us about your business Rhoot Man Beverage Company.
Rhoot Man Beverage Company makes all natural vinegar based syrups designed to enhance cocktails or mocktail. What’s so unique about my product is that it’s good for your heart and gut health. Along with it be able to be used for salad dressings, glazes and marinades.

How is your business innovating within the beverage category?
Through my many years of being in the Food & Beverage Industry, I saw how creating  cocktails was an process that was entirely too long; that took away from the guest experience. This would ultimately cut into guests returning and business owners struggling to get more return customers. With Rhoot Man Beverage Company Shrub, all it takes is two to four ingredients to create any cocktail or mocktail experience. This not only allows our guests at the bar to get a quick flavorful cocktail before their food arrives, but it also allows those home bartenders to create the same experience with ease as well. 

Savannah's Refillery Gem – a bright little shop making sustainability feel possible (and even fun). From refill stations to eco-swaps, their zero-waste store is changing the way people shop, and think, about their daily habits.

Lite Foot Company

Owner: Katie Rodgers-Hubbard
Location: 2400 Bull St Suite 4, Savannah, GA 31401

If your company had a theme song, what would it be?
Lighthouse by Stevie Nicks

People carry a lot of expectations and pressure on themselves of not knowing how to do  “the right thing” for the environment. How does Lite Foot make the task more approachable?
I place a strong emphasis on the importance of trying. No one, including me, is doing everything correct in terms of caring for our environment. We just need to push ourselves to learn and make changes where we can. Just do and don't beat yourself up. My experience is that that approach makes it less overwhelming and more attainable to people. 

I have heard the adage that we should not bear the burden of being responsible for everything we do personally as it relates to the environment, but rather pick one thing and stick to it. Consistency and commitment will make a greater impact. What are your thoughts around this?
I think it's a delicate balance. Our culture isn’t set up to even allow us to have full control over our choices. We can’t be zero waste in savannah, b/c there lacks the systemic infrastructure to support it. But we do have control over some things and those things I do think can choose to take on responsibility for. 

What is the most interesting or unexpected product in your shop?
I think people are most shocked by deodorant cream and hairspray. We sell a deo cream that is one of our best sellers. Hairspray is another one that shocks people. By simply moving away from aerosol you are making an impact. It's such a simple swap. 

We always talk about relaxation in this series, so…
If we could grant you one wish to make your life and world more relaxing, what would it be? Anything goes! 
I would love to have 2 days off that coincides with my family and friends days off. I’m extremely extroverted and relationship oriented and believe I could rest and relax better if that was instituted. (also my best friend has to move here)

FOLLOW LITE FOOT ON INSTAGRAM for the MOST AMAZING, HILARIOUS CONTENT! We promise you'll enjoy Katie's humor and antics. 

Ordinary Magic & Savannah Yoga Center

Owner: Kelley J Boyd
Location:  509 Barnard St, Savannah, GA 31401

To start, tell me a bit about yourself and your businesses.
I'm a Savannah, GA native, an artist at heart, and a nature-loving witch—a rare breed these days! It's true, we Savannah unicorns are becoming quite scarce. My passion for yoga blossomed 25 years ago, and my studio celebrates its 23rd anniversary this March! Even before that, at my very first job at age 15, I discovered a deep love for crystals, minerals, and all things natural.

We just entered into Savannah’s luckiest month of the year. What role does luck play in your life, products or business?
I believe in magic, especially the magic found in everyday life. So, it might surprise you that I also believe love, passion, and hard work create opportunity and what some might call "luck."

The name Ordinary Magic is a fun play on words. How did you come up with this name?
"Ordinary Magic" is actually a very literal name! There's so much magic all around us, but sometimes life experiences can make us lose sight of it. It's often found in what we consider mundane: a flock of birds perched on a power line, the rising of a full moon, or the dewy, sparkling spiderwebs that sway on the marsh grass tops on my way to work in the early mornings of March and April. I wanted the name to reflect that and remind others of the magic all around us!

What's the perfectly magical day look like for you? And do you have a favorite spot or thing about Savannah you’d like to share with our audience?
My perfect magical day is any time I can be outdoors, whether I'm digging in the dirt of my home garden, exploring a trail in search of mushrooms and native plants, or enjoying an early morning boat ride and the wonderfully familiar, earthy scent of the marsh in May!

The Indigo Cottage
Owners: Mark, Lisa, Lane McRae
Location: 148 Abercorn St • Savannah, Georgia

Tell me more about the name Indigo Cottage. 

Lisa’s and Lane’s family roots are in South Carolina dating back to colonial days. Their ancestors were some of the first rice and indigo planters as early as 1697. The name reflects the history as well as the desire to create a cottage feel selling products reflecting the Lowcountry lifestyle. 

What made you get into retail? How long have you been in the industry?

Lisa started her retail career working in high school in a clothing boutique. She went on to major in Marketing at Clemson University and continued in retail for many years. Lane, a recent College of Charleston graduate, interned in a small retail shop in Charleston and gained further retail experience in Savannah. She will bring a youthful and fresh approach to the business. 

When seeking relaxation, what's that perfect day look like?

Mark is a career banker and when he is not in the office, he and the family enjoy boating. They especially enjoy trips up to Daufuskie and Hilton Head on a bright, sunny day! 

Yours in Relaxation (and Discovery),
Cari

Connecting Community

A note from our Founder

For nearly 30 years, I have been driven by a passion for storytelling, brand-building, and—above all—connecting with other small businesses. Throughout my career as a brand strategist and creative director, I have found the most rewarding part of my work is  uncovering what makes each business unique.

Retail and competitive is tougher than ever for small businesses, which is why I’m launching Rising Tide—a monthly series celebrating local and regional businesses that stand out for their innovation, sustainability, and community connection.

In 2005, I co-founded cSpot, a networking group designed to bring together Savannah’s creative community. Meeting in different small business venues each month, cSpot fostered a spirit of collaboration that continues today under the leadership of Olive Ridley Studios.

She also introduced Savannah to its first-ever “pop-ups” in 2011—hosting them right in her own home—as a way to connect people with local makers and artisans, including her own brand, Salacia Salts. A few years later, she expanded this concept with Make Savannah, a platform to promote and market creative businesses through events, storytelling, and digital exposure.

From 2020 to 2025, Salacia Salts had a retail shop in historic downtown Savannah, where Cari spent five years connecting visitors and locals with her favorite regional makers. After selling the shop to The Indigo Cottage, she found herself once again drawn to her passion for championing small brands.

That’s why she launched Rising Tide—a monthly series dedicated to shining a light on regional and local businesses. Through Rising Tide, we continue our mission of uplifting creative entrepreneurs, sharing their stories, and fostering a community where small brands can thrive together. Because when one of us rises, we all do.

If you aren't from Savannah, we invite to our wonderful city. We've created a city guide to Cari's favorite spots. Driving here is very easy but once you land in town, you really don't need a car if you like walking. We have a lot of direct flights from major cities around the country too. What are you waiting for? Start your search for flights, hotels, and rental cars. 

Follow the Tide

In addition to featuring a new business each month here on our blog, on social media and through our VIP email list, our Southern Charm subscription box will feature a collection of 4 Salacia products, along with our Rising Tide spotlight. Inspired by the beauty of the South and the sea, every box celebrates coastal charm and discovery. Subscribers will enjoy something extra from our Rising Tide feature of the month, plus surprises like gifts, samples, new Salacia products in development (be the first to try!) and exclusive invitations.