Step into the enchanting world of Fable, a unique haven nestled in Ballantyne Village. Owner Susan Sloan-Lieb, whose journey from puppetry enthusiast to retail visionary is nothing short of magical, has transformed her passion for storytelling into a retail experience like no other.

 

Susan’s road to entrepreneurship began with an unexpected love for puppetry, discovered during her time in northern Germany. Later, while working with puppets and attending college in South Carolina, Susan found a part-time role as a buyer and merchandiser at the renowned Bohemian store in Columbia. There, she met Bruce Schultz, a retail expert who taught her the art of buying, merchandising and creating immersive customer experiences. Susan’s focus shifted from puppetry to curating inventory, and the store became her stage.

 

Susan later partnered with Alan Goldstein, the owner of Myers Park’s City Art Works, now known as Fable. United by a passion for handmade and unique gifts, they transformed the store into what it is today. “Alan and I shared the same vision about what we wanted the store to become, and the rest is history,” Susan explains.

 

In 2022, Fable underwent a rebranding and moved to its new location in Ballantyne Village. Defined as “a magical story,” the store continues to captivate visitors with its curated collection of gifts and its enchanting ambiance.

 

While Fable is often labeled a gift store, it offers an experience that transcends conventional retail. Susan and Alan’s dedication to creating a magical environment is evident in their careful selection of artists and their complimentary gift-wrapping service.

 

 

Adjacent to Fable is Fox & Fable, a children’s store that shares an internal opening to its sister shop. Inspired by old-world German shops, Fox & Fable offers a unique blend of children’s clothing, accessories and toys. Brands such as Rylee + Cru, Pink Chicken, Konges Sløjd, Hatley and Tea Collection feature artsy and unique designs rarely found in Charlotte. “Having the children’s store and clothing has added a new dimension to my business,” Susan says. “We carry clothing lines that foster creativity and uniqueness, appealing to parents and children alike. Visiting Fox & Fable is a true shopping experience – not like going to the mall or mainstream stores. Children who love to express themselves in both what they wear and the toys they play with are drawn to our store and merchandise. And we also offer a large breadth of price points.”

 

This spring marks an exciting milestone as Fox & Fable debuts its first spring and summer children’s clothing collections, expanding its offerings after launching with winter wear.

 

 

Fable’s commitment to creating memorable experiences extends to its events. One of its most anticipated annual traditions is the “Mouse Party,” inspired by the Maileg brand from Denmark, which is exclusively carried at Fable and not available elsewhere in Charlotte. Held every fall, the event draws crowds with themed treats, drinks and costumes inspired by favorite Maileg characters. Susan reports that customers wait up to six hours to enter the store for this hugely popular event.

 

Looking ahead, Fable is planning a spring “Bunny Party” to complement the Mouse Party’s success. The bunny line is also made by Maileg. “We anticipate it will be just as special and magical,” Susan says.

 

 

Step into the enchanting worlds of Fable and Fox & Fable at 14835 Ballantyne Village Way. For inquiries, call 704-900-6778. Connect with Fable on Instagram: @fable_charlotte, and stay tuned for updates about upcoming events and new seasonal collections.