Makers open retail stores, creative spaces in Knoxville
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The annual Maker City Summit starts a week from Friday. Details on the event can be found here.)
By Shannon Smith, Teknovation Assistant Editor, PYA
Whether you’re looking to buy a piece of art, get your hair cut, or want to rent some studio space of your own, two new maker-owned businesses in Knoxville have you covered.
Paris Woodhull Illustrations and Local Collective opened their doors on Labor Day weekend, adding to the growing number of businesses owned by creatives in the Maker City.
You’ve likely seen Paris Woodhull’s murals in private and public spaces around Knoxville, from downtown alleys to breweries and doctors’ offices.
She’s become in many ways the go-to creative for Knoxville-specific art, designing illustrated maps of different parts of the city often sold screen printed on t-shirts, bags, and hand towels.
After building her business successfully online with more than 10,000 Instagram followers and selling her products virtually and at pop-up maker markets, she’s now got a permanent home.
Paris Woodhull Illustrations is open at 121 South Gay Street downtown. The space is half retail shop, half studio space for Woodhull as she continues to design more products.
The grand opening Labor Day weekend was met with a line out the door of patrons excited to get their hands on everything from earrings to candles, t-shirts to totes, all designed in Woodhull’s signature style.
Her shop is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
If you’re wanting to start a business like Woodhull’s but don’t have the space to do so, that’s where Local Collective comes in.
Also opened over Labor Day weekend, this space is dedicated to creatives who simply want to create on their own terms.
Local Collective describes itself as “a creative and safe space for artists, stylists, and creatives to grow their business to a level of independence without the long-term financial commitment to operating a traditional storefront.”
Makers rent studio space for a flat weekly rate and can control their own fee structures, schedule, and offerings.
Currently Ashley Deatherage Hair and Sleek & Destroy Hair are the two tenants bringing their clients to Local Collective.
If you want to join them, applications are open now.
Creatives of any kind are welcome, from tattoo artists and barbers to painters and potters and everywhere in between.
Local Collective is located at 110 East Fifth Ave. and hours depend on who you’re there to see.
