I introduced you to Tammy Babb and her business, Nature’s Crossing last March. She’s operated a shop in west Knoxville and has opened a second location of the shop at 7 Market Square selling herbs, teas, tinctures and much more. If you missed it, you can get more detail on the store and learn Tammy’s story in the first article.
Originally planning to open in early April, by the time she was ready, her store was not allowed to open under the restrictions in place at the time. She opened on May 14 (her birthday!) and says business has been a bit up and down as people consider whether they are ready to come downtown and shop.
During the transition from one to two stores (her west Knoxville store will remain open), she had one funny experience. Friends called her concerned that something terrible had happened at her store because it was surrounded by police cars. It turns out she had plenty of hand sanitizer and the police department didn’t at that time, so they were coming by in groups for more.
The new store is beautifully lighted and she’s offering a large amount and wide range of merchandise. She has a bar set up, as well as tables, for enjoying the lemonade or teas of the day, but the bar can’t be used for seating and she’s only put out a portion of her table seating in order to maintain social distancing.
Many of the products you’ll find in the story are made locally or regionally. Tammy is a licensed hemp grower and produces her own CBD oil, for example. She also makes her own elderberry syrup, which is one of her biggest sellers and she makes her own essential oils. At some point you might catch her doing so in the store.
She also has about 150 dried herbs, 140 tea variations, 30 essential oils (more to be added later), natural bath products, and handmade jewelry by local artists. For the downtown location she’s added a wall of art to showcase local artists and she said this month’s artist, Michael Monday, has already sold several pieces.
You’ll also find earrings, bracelets, clothing, soaps, tea pots and cups and much more. It’s a tea shop and tea bar, but much of what she stocks is about taking care of yourself. You’ll sense that when you enter the calm atmosphere she has created. She has hot tea to serve, now, but will add iced teas later on.
Please welcome Tammy to Market Square and as soon as you feel you can safely do so, give her new store a visit. Follow the store on Facebook and Instagram. Store hours are 11:00 am to 8:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm on Sundays and closed Monday.
Other Notes:
Please consider purchasing a 50th Anniversary Membership from the Clarence Brown Theatre. It’s a valuable resource to our city and with losses suffered from canceled performances, your help is truly needed.
Gregory’s Greenhouse will hold a two hour curbside sale of plants in front of Knoxville Soap Candle and Gifts today from 11 -2
The state is releasing $200 million for small businesses, soon. When available, details will be found here.