Nest Knoxville nestles into downtown

Natalie Stair, left, with her mother-in-law, Dorothy Stair, at the opening of Nest Knoxville.

Natalie Stair, left, with her mother-in-law, Dorothy Stair, at the opening of Nest Knoxville.

It was a sweet gathering of family and friends last weekend as Nest Knoxville, the beautiful new furniture and gift store on the 100 block of Gay Street, officially opened its doors.

Proprietor Natalie Stair and her husband, Marshall, an attorney and Knoxville City Council member, have been working for months to get it ready. And they made it in the nick of time. In fact, the awning went up just hours before the Friday opening. Whew!

Natalie is from the furniture capital of America, nearby Hickory, North Carolina, and she said it seemed like a natural move for her. You can read about her history in the furniture business in a recent News Sentinel article (click here) and in a blog post on Inside of Knoxville (click here).

What I like the most about the new store is the wide variety of things to look at (and buy). From gorgeous leather couches and upholstered chairs to jewel-like wine stoppers that would be perfect for hostess gifts, the store has it all.

Many of Natalie's friends showed up and even helped her ring up purchases. From left, Julie Ricketts (holding Grace), Katie Hays, Danielle Hays, Lizzy Puckett and Joanna Lankford.

Many of Natalie’s friends showed up and even helped her ring up purchases. From left, Julie Ricketts (holding Grace), Katie Hays, Danielle Hays, Lizzy Puckett and Joanna Lankford.

Cathy and Dan Brown. Dan, a former Knoxville mayor, serves on City Council with Marshall.

Cathy and Dan Brown. Dan, a former Knoxville mayor, serves on City Council with Marshall.

Natalie, in green, chats with guests.

Natalie, in green, chats with guests.

That candied bacon was a dead giveaway that the caterer was Holly Hambright!

That candied bacon was a dead giveaway that the caterer was Holly Hambright!

Gina Lisenby and Marshall Stair.

Gina Lisenby and Marshall Stair.

Megan Stair, left, played bartender for the evening. Here's Gay Lyons taking advantage of the service.

Megan Stair, left, played bartender for the evening. Here’s Gay Lyons taking advantage of the service.

From left, Georgiana Vines, Patricia Robledo and Nora Robinson.

From left, Georgiana Vines, Patricia Robledo and Nora Robinson.

Here's that awning that barely made it in time!

Here’s that awning that barely made it in time!

Teresa Hatmaker gets a little shopping done.

Teresa Hatmaker gets a little shopping done.

There's a little nest in this vessel! Cute!

There’s a little nest in this vessel! Cute!

Lauren Miller tries out a leather couch.

Lauren Miller tries out a comfy leather couch.

Mark Heinz, left, with Bill Lyons.

Mark Heinz, left, with Bill Lyons.

Don't forget to go upstairs, as Kim Henry is doing.

Don’t forget to go upstairs, as Kim Henry is doing.

Jackie Wilson.

Jackie Wilson.

Emily Campen and Alan Carmichael. Emily is another downtown business owner. Hers is the Flower Pot a few blocks south on Gay Street.

Emily Campen and Alan Carmichael. Emily is another downtown business owner. Hers is The Flower Pot a few blocks south on Gay Street. Her husband, Mark, also is a member of Knoxville City Council.

Dorothy and Caesar Stair with Allison Page, center.

Dorothy and Caesar Stair with Allison Page, center.

Here are those great wine stoppers I mentioned.

Here are those great wine stoppers I mentioned.

Sam Maynard considers a bottle opener shaped like a fish.

Sam Maynard considers a bottle opener shaped like a fish.

Marshall Stair with Ann Marie Tugwell.

Marshall Stair with Ann Marie Tugwell.

Marnie and Bob Page.

Marnie and Bob Page.

Dorothy Stair, right, with Karen and Alan Sims. He writes the Inside of Knoxville blog.

Dorothy Stair, right, with Karen and Alan Sims. He writes the Inside of Knoxville blog.

Haha! The two Mister Carmichaels -- Alan, left, and Art. They are not related but never tire of greeting each other with, "Hello, Mr. Carmichael!"

Haha! The two Mister Carmichaels — Alan, left, and Art. They are not related but never tire of greeting each other with, “Hello, Mr. Carmichael!”

Love these fish! This one is for sale for $400. Artist is Ryan Blair.

Love these fish! This one is for sale for $400. Artist is Ryan Blair.

Elaine Clark with Marshall.

Elaine Clark with Marshall.

Dorothy, left, with Ellen Robinson and Peter Acly.

Dorothy, left, with Ellen Robinson and Peter Acly.

Caesar Stair, left, with Morgan Stair and Nora Robinson.

Caesar Stair, left, with Morgan Stair and Nora Robinson.

There's another nest hidden in this plant!

There’s another nest hidden in this plant!

You should check out Nest Knoxville when you get a chance. Located at 104 Gay Street next door to the Emporium, it is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

You should check out Nest Knoxville when you get a chance. Located at 108 S. Gay Street next door to the Emporium Center, it is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

 

Filed under: Art, Business, Downtown, Events, Knoxville. Bookmark the permalink.

12 Responses to Nest Knoxville nestles into downtown

  1. Lauren Miller, on July 20th, 2016 at 1:58 pm said:

    Such a fun opening. And the store is beautiful. I look forward to shopping there again.

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on July 20th, 2016 at 2:03 pm said:

    It sure was a nice Friday, Lauren. And that sofa you are sitting on in the photo? They’ve already sold it! So glad they are off to a good start.

  3. Rusha Sams, on July 20th, 2016 at 2:16 pm said:

    Store looks great and just what we need downtown! Love those fish — the ones on the wall. But, as you said, I’d be after Holly’s candied bacon.

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on July 20th, 2016 at 2:21 pm said:

    Hi, Rusha! Been following your travels! You are right about those fish. If I had a beach house, I would love to have one (or more) of those!

  5. Pam Rhoades, on July 20th, 2016 at 2:25 pm said:

    Can’t wait to shop there!

  6. Marshall Stair, on July 20th, 2016 at 2:40 pm said:

    We had a fantastic time! Thank you and please come back!

  7. Gay Lyons, on July 20th, 2016 at 3:16 pm said:

    Beautiful store! Great addition to retail offerings downtown.

  8. Cynthia Moxley, on July 20th, 2016 at 3:19 pm said:

    Pam: You will love it!
    Marshall: We definitely will be back.
    Gay: Agree, totally.

  9. Pat jobe, on July 20th, 2016 at 4:57 pm said:

    Cannot wait to shop at the store

  10. Nancy McGlasson, on July 20th, 2016 at 5:05 pm said:

    Great photographs of wonderful folks and a terrific new emporium. Congratulations Natalie and Marshall! I was there in spirit but wish I’d been there in person. Best of luck! Break a piece of bacon? Or an egg in the Nest?!

  11. Kim Lauth, on July 20th, 2016 at 9:43 pm said:

    I hate that I was out of town and couldn’t make this. After seeing the pics I can’t wait to stop in. There is nothing better than an carefully curated shopping experience! 🙂

  12. Cynthia Moxley, on July 21st, 2016 at 12:34 am said:

    Pat: You will love checking it out.
    Nancy: Thanks for the kind words.
    Kim: Hope to see you there!

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