“A Shopping We Will Go!” – Family Visit (III)

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Tennessee has never really “closed up” or “locked down”…although the more populated counties have done so for varying periods of time.  Plus we ‘opened’ businesses and other venues earlier than many states.  Tennessee’s number of infections is going up…

With family visiting, it was a matter of deciding what was relatively safe to do…where could we go wearing masks and/or stay socially distanced?

Bonnie, Bill and Laurie love to shop so off we went to explore a variety of local shops and boutiques…

Our first stop was Premiere Consignment just off of TN Hwy. 444 near Tellico Village.  This consignment store is in a perfect location to take advantage of retirees and others moving into Tellico Village from locations all over the USA.  Folks move in, downsize or change out their furnishings …then they try to get some money for their possessions.

These photos give you an example of some of the items for sale at Premiere Consignment.  Big furniture, art, decorative pieces…shoppers have a lot to choose from.  Laurie and I have sold a few small items through this store, and we’ve bought a few things too.

Sellers bring in items and then a starting price is agreed on.  After 30 days, the item is marked down by 10% and after 60 days a final 10%.  The store keeps 50% of the sale price…much better than you’d get in a yard sale.

Premiere Consignment is located at 320 Lakeside Plaza in Loudon Tennessee.  Phone: 865-458-9721.  Their website can be found at http://www.premiereconsignment.com/.

Our next stop was in downtown Lenoir City Tennessee.  The City has recently completed a downtown facelift that upgraded the sidewalks and décor.  Obviously the goal is to encourage more businesses to open which in turn will attract shoppers. 

This first store is called Markets on Broadway.  It offers booths/spaces to locals who sell a broad variety of merchandise.  Items range from essential oils, vinyl signs, pet accessories, clothing, on to goat milk lotion and much more.  This store is located at 121 East Broadway.  Phone: 865-816-3093.  Website: http://www.marketsonbroadway.com/.

The Sparkly Pig is located right next door to the Markets on Broadway.  It also rents space to small scale retailers.  It features antiques, collectibles, jewelry, crafts, clothing, home furnishings and more.  It is located at 119 East Broadway in Lenoir City.  Phone: 865-317-3652.  They are on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Home-Decor/Sparkly-Pig-757254044375974/.

The next store was Honey Blossom.  This store focuses on women’s apparel especially tunic tops and leggings.  Some children’s clothing is offered as well.  A timely addition to Honey Blossom’s offerings was a wide selection of stylish Covid-19 face masks!  This store is located at 105 East Broadway.  Phone: 865-591-1134.  They are on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/HoneyBlossomBoutiqueLC/.

Laurie, Bonnie and Bill do a lot of looking…and happily for me, Laurie doesn’t do much buying!  As for me, I’m not a shopper.  If I need something I go and buy it.  I did look inside all the stores mentioned above and I took a couple of photos…but I’m not sure which stores were which as I didn’t take the photos in any particular order.  Most of my time was spent outside…

I did see a couple of items of interest in our slow but steady perusal of these stores.  Actually, that first photo of an interesting door, with pressed tin and wrought iron highlights, is located along the street at the south side of the Sparkly Pig.   While the art in the second photo isn’t my thing, I will give the artist an “A” for creativity!

The Cedar and Twine was the only boutique style store across the street from the other stores we visited in this 2 block area.  They offer ‘curated’ women’s fashions.  Laurie and Bonnie exited quickly, stating that the offerings were for younger customers.  I checked their website and they were right!  Love that blue storefront… Cedar and Twine is located at 100 East Broadway.  Phone: 865-816-6203.  Their website can be found at https://cedarandtwineknox.com/?olsPage=products.

Staff in a couple of the stores asked us to stop by this farm stand at the intersection of Broadway and “A” Street, commenting that they want him to return and for the effort to expand.  We did stop by, with Bill buying some tomatoes.  As the sign states, this is the site of a future ‘parklet’…a pocket park.

This cart with colorful flowers and a bicycle added a little extra to the street scene.  Other carts were on display but some had plastic flowers or they just weren’t as eye-catching.    

I spent a bit of time on that bench in front of the Lacy General Store, while I waited for my shopping crew.  Very relaxing and beautiful weather…

Inside the Lacy General Store, there is a plethora of miscellaneous possibilities for the shopper.  There are tea towels, jig-saw puzzles, old time candies, coasters, greeting cards, home décor items and prepared foods…just to name a few items.

This stage is located at the back of the Lacy General Store.  It’s referred to at the 865 Stage and they do offer live music from time to time.  A bit quirky but interesting… The Lacy General Store is located at 101 East Broadway in Lenoir City.  Phone: 865-816-6833.  They are on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thelacygeneralstorelenoircity.

Then there is “The Lacy”, the 'parent store' of the Lacy General Store.  The Lacy is an antique and home décor store that is located inside Lenoir City’s old Lacy Hotel.  The hotel was built in 1927.  When we first visited this store in 2017, it only occupied the first floor of the building.  Now it has expanded to the second floor as well.  

The Lacy is a classy upscale store with plenty of high end furnishings and décor mixed in with a lot of ‘take with’ impulse items for their clientele.  This is one store that I don’t mind browsing around as it is a bit different and interesting.  The good news was that Laurie didn’t buy anything!  However, I did learn that there is a passage way between The Lacy and the Lacy General Store…and it’s via The Lacy’s bathroom! 

The Lacy is located at 105 North 'A' Street in Lenoir City Tennessee.  Phone: 865-816-6833.  On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelacylenoircity/.

Our last stop in Lenoir City was at Sadie’s Boutique, Monograms and Gifts.  This store features a wide variety of products ranging from jewelry and baby dishes, to soaps, pillows, purses, men’s socks, jig-saw puzzles, pillows, women’s clothing and lots more.  Oh yes...and face masks too!

Sadie’s Boutique occupies the old People’s Bank Building that failed in the big bank crash in 1929.  The store is located at 101 West Broadway.  Phone: 865-816-6576.  Sadie’s website is at https://www.sadieslenoircity.com/.

That was it…for the first part of our excursion!  More to follow, but I did get a food and beverage break at our next stop… What I really hate is having to go out shopping or brousinng while wearing a face mask!  The good news is that almost all store personnel were wearing masks too...

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Stay Safe and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave