This year, Plum Nelly celebrates 53 years of spotlighting local artisans and providing unique gifts and treasures for shoppers. What started as an annual outdoor clothesline art sale in 1947, and became a shop in 1972, has evolved into a year-round specialty shop carrying handcrafted glass, pottery, jewelry, wall art, and more.
Catharine Daniels, a native of Chattanooga, took over ownership of Plum Nelly in 2008. “I am the fourth owner in its history, all of us women, and I think every owner has added their own touch,” shared Catharine. “When a business has been around for so long, it’s important to pay homage to what it is, what it was, and what it will be. I started bringing in a lot more local art for consignment and diversified things.”
Catharine enjoys discovering artisans to showcase and supporting small businesses that make a difference in the world. She particularly enjoys the aspect of sharing conversations and details about artisans with customers. “There are a lot of wonderful gift shops and galleries in Chattanooga, but there is nothing quite like us,” she said. “We have unique finds for your gift-giving needs, and we can tell you about the artists that are on our walls and the artists who blew the piece of glass or made the piece of pottery.”
When customers patron Plum Nelly, they show a double dose of local love. Not only is the shop locally owned, but many of the pieces and items carried in the shop are made by local artists or other small businesses. “I love to work with local artists,” explained Catharine. “When you come and support me as a local business, and you are buying something that is made by a small business or local artist, you're supporting both of us at the same time.”
Advocating for the community is a passion for Catharine and her involvement in supporting local charities and organizations with donations from the shop is one way she lives out that mission. She also embodies this commitment through her involvement in the NorthShore Merchant’s Collective, a group Catharine has headed as President the last few years. The Collective works to make enhancements to the neighborhood through beautification projects, hosts special events to bring attention to local businesses, and serves as a support system for local business owners and the community.
“The NorthShore Merchant’s Collective brings us together as merchants not only to have a united voice with our community but to support each other when we go through tough things like covid,” shared Catharine. “It was a delight to be able to bounce those things off of other business owners that were going through the same stresses and strains that I was.”
Whether it is working with other business owners or helping a customer at the shop, Catharine’s commitment to ensuring residents and visitors have exceptional experiences shines through. “I love what I do,” she shared. “We are blessed to have a lot of great businesses in our area and I'm thankful that here we are 53 years strong and still kicking.”
Stop by Plum Nelly located at 330 Frazier Ave #104 in Chattanooga and experience a bit of Chattanooga history while you shop. For a sampling of items available, visit plumnellyshop.com and follow The Plum Nelly Shop and Gallery on Facebook and Instagram, or call 423-266-0585 for more information. The shop offers bridal and gift registries, gift wrapping, and shipping. Although the shop does not officially have an online store, Catharine and her team are happy to help customers find what they want even if they are not able to come into the store.