Kellam's Marketplace celebrated the opening of a new chapter this weekend with its grand reopening at 122 South Green Street, marking the continuation of a family legacy that began with just a $75 investment more than four decades ago.
In the mid-1980s, Lula Belle Kellam started selling merchandise from the trunk of her car while operating yard sales. Her daughter helped launch the business by purchasing $75 worth of wooden jewelry from a wholesale supplier—an investment that became the foundation of what would grow into one of Swainsboro's most recognizable local businesses.
After opening its first storefront in Wrightsville in 1993, Kellam's eventually found its permanent home in Swainsboro, expanding over the years while earning the loyalty of generations of customers. Behind the scenes, the business remained a true family operation, with multiple generations working together to build and grow the store.
In 2017, Lula Belle's daughter returned home from Atlanta to help care for her mother, support her family, and continue operating the business. Following Lula Belle's passing in 2021, the family remained committed to preserving the legacy she created.
That commitment was tested when Hurricane Helene devastated the store on September 27, 2024. A tornado severely damaged the building, destroying the roof, windows, and nearly all of the inventory. After a lengthy 14-month insurance battle, the family rebuilt from the ground up.
Today, Kellam's Marketplace has been completely renovated and reimagined while continuing to honor the values and community spirit that Lula Belle instilled from the very beginning.
The family invites both longtime customers and first-time visitors to stop by, explore the newly remodeled store, and help celebrate the next generation of Kellam's Marketplace. While the store has a fresh new look, its mission remains unchanged: serving the Swainsboro community with the same dedication and family values that have defined Kellam's for decades.
