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The people who make the city.

Hannah Blevins · Loan Officer, NMLS 2009458

At The Blevins Collective, we believe in the power of local businesses and the diversity they bring to our community. These are six we keep coming back to — plants, candles, pottery, dog treats, a lodge in the woods, and a great deal of sequins. Nobody paid to be here.

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Six East Tennessee makers and places, in no particular order. Every link goes straight to their own site.

Houseplants · North Knoxville

Oglewood Avenue

Green thumb or not, Jade — the owner — makes sure you leave knowing exactly what kind of care your plant needs. A modern houseplant boutique on North Broadway, with repotting done right there in the shop.

Visit oglewoodavenue.com Candles · Knoxville

Knox Haus Candle Co.

Justin and Josh make every candle themselves: small-batch soy wax, hand-poured into concrete vessels you keep and reuse once the candle is gone. Room sprays and wax melts, too.

Visit knoxhauscandleco.com Inn & restaurant · Maryville

RT Lodge

Set on the woodsy campus of Maryville College — a boutique inn with a fine-dining room, a spa, and elegant, comfortable spaces for weddings and meetings. Welcome to your home away from home.

Visit rtlodge.com Festival fashion · East Tennessee

Konane Wild Crafts

Handmade festival fashion out of East Tennessee: sequin kimonos, dusters, and one-of-a-kind pieces, made to order and made to be seen in. Clothing, in the maker's words, to help you unleash your highest self.

Visit konanewildcrafts.com Pottery · Maryville

McQueen Pottery

Leanne McQueen's studio makes dinnerware meant to be used every day: comfortable in the hand, good to look at, and interesting to think about. Clean, classic, and timeless — her words, and the work backs them up.

Visit mcqueenpottery.com Dog treats · Kingston Pike

River Dog Bakery

Fresh-baked dog treats made in the shop's own kitchen — wholesome ingredients and nothing artificial, no additives or preservatives. Toys, collars, and a self-serve dog wash while you're there.

Visit riverdogbakery.com

Know one we should meet?

Tell us who's next.

The list grows a few businesses at a time, and new picks go out in the monthly note before they land here. If there's a maker, a shop, or a place in East Tennessee you'd send a friend to, send it our way.

Nominate a business Get the monthly note

How this list works

Three rules, none of them negotiable.

  • Locally owned. Independent East Tennessee businesses — the owner's name is usually on the door, or close to it.
  • Nobody pays to be here. No fees, no ads, no referral arrangements. A business is on this page because we like it.
  • Their site, their words. Each card links straight to the business. Hours, prices, and availability are theirs to state, not ours.

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Open Hannah's calendar15 MIN · VIDEO OR PHONE Call or text(865) 386‑7114 EmailHBLEVINS@FMLOANS.COM Start the applicationSECURE · FOUNDATION MORTGAGE

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