By Karen Phillips
Correspondent
RINGGOLD, Ga. — Two years after opening Kudzu Interiors down the street from the site of her grandfather’s former store, Melodie Church is amazed that her life has come full circle, back to the very place her dreams began.
“My grandfather Ben Stone owned Ben Stone Hardware and Variety, which was like a mini-Walmart,” Mrs. Church said. “It had a little bit of everything, from hardware to home goods to clothing.”
Her grandfather’s business was at the corner of Nashville and Tennessee streets, only steps away from her current storefront. It was also known throughout the area as the supplier for Liberty Overalls, which Mrs. Church said “put her through college.”
However, Mrs. Church had no desire to continue the family tradition when she graduated from high school.
“I wanted out of Ringgold,” she laughed.
After obtaining an interior design degree from Georgia Southern University, she married and relocated to Atlanta, opening her own firm with a friend and fellow designer, Cheryl Draa.
In 1996, her husband, Bob, was transferred to North Georgia, prompting Mrs. Church to sell her business and come back home to Ringgold. After focusing on being a mother, she began to itch to do something else.
“It had to do with being 50,” she laughed.
Hitting midlife created a sense of urgency to pursue her passion full-time. When considering where to locate her store, Ringgold was a natural choice. She draws clients from the Tri-State area, making her hometown a central destination.
While her business comes mostly from word of mouth, she has compiled a mailing list of clients that she invites to several social events held throughout the year at the store, including girls nights and art showings.
“Everything in the showroom is for sale,” Mrs. Church explained, “but that’s not really the primary function of having the showroom. I like clients to see the various pieces so they can better visualize them in different fabrics.”
The Bottom Line* Business Name: Kudzu Interiors* Owner: Melodie Church* Location: 7831 Nashville St., Ringgold, Ga.* Specialty: Interior design and custom home furnishings* Number of employees: Two
Mrs. Church design philosophy starts with getting to know potential clients personally, having them fill out a questionnaire about their tastes and lifestyles, even including the pets in the home.
“I conduct an in-home interview prior to making any recommendations,” she said. “My design philosophy is that I am not here to make decisions for you, but to guide you and your family in a process that makes you comfortable in your home.”
Client Mandy Young chose Kudzu for a home renovation initially because it is a local business. But because of Mrs. Church’s approach expanded the renovations to other rooms.
“Melodie is accessible and truly listens to the input from her clients,” Ms. Young said. “The work and designs not only have met but exceeded our expectations.”
Karen Phillips is based in Ringgold. Contact her at karenhphillips@yahoo.com.