If you ask Tabatha French from 4 Unique Sisters in Soddy-Daisy, there aren’t any better co-workers than your family.
Despite the store’s moniker, French operates it with her sister Tamara Slaven and niece Savannah Slaven, and Tamara Slaven and French’s aunt, Susan Williams. The four have been in business since April 30, offering eclectic secondhand items and booth space to crafters and other vendors, and French said the response thus far has been excellent.
“Everyone’s excited to have a new Soddy business,” she said. “We have roots there and our family is from Soddy-Daisy. It was an easy decision that this was where we needed to go.”
The store sells what French calls “creative and vintage finds,” and was borne out of the four women’s mutual love of combing various yard sales for items. Williams, French and Tamara Slaven all have other full-time jobs, but collectively worked together to build 4 Unique Sisters. Each has specific talents that they bring to the store, said French, enabling it to be open five days a week despite their other commitments.
“Our hobby has grown into something so much more, and we’re making it work,” she said. “There’s definitely some freedom there, and it’s really a dream come true for us.”
Their business model has already changed in the two months 4 Sisters has been open. French said they’re getting feedback constantly from customers about what they want to see.
For example, the store has a few art classes starting up for customers to participate in, and is offering fresh produce from local farmers and markets.
French noted that they have tried to keep vendor booth prices low.
“One reason we started was that we wanted to help other people’s dreams come true, too,” said French. “A lot of our vendors have full-time jobs, and so if we can give them space to sell their art and crafts, we want to give them that opportunity.”
For more information, search for “4 Unique Sisters” on Facebook.
Email Shane Foley at sfoley@timesfreepress.com.