Spartina Warehouse Sale tickets up for grabs soon. What to know before Hilton Head event

Lisa Wilson

Spartina 449 fans, get ready. Tickets for the 11th annual Warehouse Sale will be available starting Wednesday, June 7, at noon on Eventbrite.

Considering last year’s “golden tickets,” the ones that give holders the earliest and most exclusive access, sold out in three minutes, fashionistas might want to start doing some mouse-clicking exercises in advance.

Spartina 449, an upscale handbag, accessories and apparel brand, started on Daufuskie Island in 2009 and has become known internationally, with products sold in retail shops, online and its own stores.

The annual sale, which draws thousands of shoppers from across the United States to Hilton Head Island High School’s gym, is scheduled from July 6-9.

The sale features merchandise discounted up to 80% off retail prices. In addition this year, Spartina is offering 18 different Warehouse Sale exclusive items that are not available in stores or online.

Spartina 449 apparel, seen at the 2022 Warehouse Sale on Hilton Head Island, is going to be “the star of the show” at the 2023 sale, organizers say.
Spartina 449 apparel, seen at the 2022 Warehouse Sale on Hilton Head Island, is going to be “the star of the show” at the 2023 sale, organizers say.

“We started that last year a little, and it was a wild success,” said Christy Sheets, senior vice president of sales and operations at Spartina 449. “One of the themes of the exclusive items is going to be sea turtles, which I think people always go crazy over. ... We think that’s going to be the runaway hit.”

Because apparel has grown in popularity, Spartina is giving it a larger footprint at this year’s sale with additional fitting rooms and a new pricing structure that will offer deeper discounts.

“Our apparel has really become the star of the show,” Sheets said. “We’re known as an accessory handbag brand, but we’re selling so much apparel now that we have changed the way that we’re doing apparel at the sale.”

Apparel isn’t the only aspect of the sale that’s growing. Last year, it took eight semi trucks to haul all of the merchandise to the school, and this year, Spartina will be offering even more items.

Those who aren’t able to nab early tickets won’t miss out on everything. The sales floor will be restocked throughout the weekend.

Ticket info

All proceeds from ticket sales are donated to local charities. Caryn Lee, retail coordinator at Spartina 449, said benefactors this year will include Turtle Trackers of Hilton Head Island along with Hilton Head Volunteers in Medicine and the Daufuskie Historical Foundation.

Last year’s ticket sales raised $30,000 for charity.

Three types of tickets will be available:

  • Golden tickets: $50, access to all four days of the sale, a gift bag and VIP treatment

  • Early access: $20, shop on Thursday, July 7, before the sale opens to the general public

  • General admission: $5

Because tickets sold out so quickly last year, Spartina is increasing the number available for this year’s sale from 5,000 to 6,000 across all three ticket categories.

It takes a week to set up for the Spartina 449 Warehouse Sale, held in the gym at Hilton Head Island High School. The sale runs from July 6-9, 2023.
It takes a week to set up for the Spartina 449 Warehouse Sale, held in the gym at Hilton Head Island High School. The sale runs from July 6-9, 2023.

Such a large sale requires extra staffing. In addition to Spartina’s employees, it enlists hundreds of “Mermaid Assistants” who are not only paid for their time but get additional perks.

“It really takes a village to put on an event to this size,” Sheets said.

At a glance

What: Spartina 449 Warehouse Sale

When: Thursday, July 6, through Sunday, July 9; tickets go on sale June 7 at noon

Where: Hilton Head Island High School’s gym at 70 Wilborn Road

Website: https://spartina449.com/pages/warehouse-sale

Contact: For more information, email warehousesale@spartina449.com

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