In addition to providing shoppers with an eclectic mix of goods, Eclectic Cottage fulfills the dream of its owner and the needs of local artists.
After leaving the corporate world, owner Lyndi Blair decided she wasn't quite ready for a life of retirement. So she set out to open her own business, Pretty Pineapple Monogramming.
She ended up opening six "shops" all housed within the Eclectic Cottage.
A wide selection of consignment clothing for babies and children is available at Eclectic Cottage. / Staff photo by Emily CrismanAmong those is ChattyArts, which provides a venue for local artists to display and sell their work.
Blair's oldest daughter, Breck Stewart, manages Chattanooga WorkSpace, which rents affordable working studios to artists, some of whom Blair has met during the downtown co-op's open studio nights. In getting to know them, she realized the need for more spaces outside of art and craft shows for them to showcase and sell their work, she said.
"There are not many gift shops in East Brainerd that feature local artists," added Blair, who currently has 15 artists' work in the store.
The other businesses in Eclectic Cottage include Your Creative Heart, which will begin offering crafting classes such as quilting, knitting and wreath-making in January along with providing a space for crafting groups to gather. Deja-Nooga offers home decor and furniture consignment, and Re-Fabulous offers boutique and designer clothing and accessories consignment for all ages, said Blair. Her youngest daughter, Skye Blair, a natural-light photographer, also operates her photography business from the space.
Gifts crafted by local artisans are among the many items available at Eclectic Cottage. / Staff photo by Emily CrismanInstead of separating all the shops, Lyndi Blair mixed items from each together in her displays, showing customers how different pieces go together in unexpected ways using her eclectic sense of style.
"Inventory will frequently be changing," she said. "It's always going to be evolving, and that's kind of exciting."
Some of the items currently available from local artists and artisans include handmade ornaments, soaps and lotions, jewelry, original paintings, crocheted caps and Chattanooga themed items.
The store also offers CBD products, which Blair said she has used for the past two years for long-term back pain and other health issues. While she previously ordered CBD products for herself online, she found a line of locally produced products that she feels work much better, and now sells the line at the shop.
Eclectic Cottage is at 8115 E. Brainerd Road, Suite 19, and can be reached at 635-8348.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.