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If you are in one of the 8,106 vehicles daily (TDOT 2024 Traffic Count) that travel down West Lincoln Street, you pass thru one of the most diverse business districts in Tullahoma.

In this half mile stretch from Jackson Street down West Lincoln Street are furniture stores, a gym, a grocery store, several salons, restaurants, convenience stores, a dance studio, pharmacy and more.

In addition, two of the most unique and interesting shops in Tullahoma can be found here.

You’ve seen the sign “The Swanky Hippie” and thought to yourself “I wonder what that shop is about?”

Well, do yourself a favor and drop in. When you first enter the shop at 603 West Lincoln Street, your senses come alive with all the beautiful array of colors.

Everywhere are bright colors. On canvas paintings, wine bottles turned into incense burners, tie dye clothing, painted guitars and paintings on recycled flooring.

The second thing you notice is the welcoming smile of owner Sue Ware.  Nearly everything in the store is handcrafted by Ms. Ware including all the art plus dream catchers, crochet pieces and so much more.

So why the name The Swanky Hippie? According to Ms. Ware, “Swanky Hippie means a more upscale, working Hippie with artistic style.” She continued, “I wanted to share my art and style and get rid of the “dirty hippie” stigma. Not all hippies are liberals, not all hippies are grungy and not all hippies wave cardboard signs for a living.”

Ms. Ware has been following her artistic passions at The Swanky Hippie since 2017. She invites everyone to stop by her shop and purchase a unique handmade gift or a groovy new outfit.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday thru Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Another interesting and unique shop on West Lincoln Street is Handmade located at 404 West Lincoln Street. When you walk into Handmade you think, “Why didn’t I think of this? What a great idea.”

It’s a good thing owner Will Prater did because the store is full of handcrafted items.

What inspired Mr. Prater to launch Handmade in June of this year?

“I wanted to be surrounded by creative people to inspire me to complete more projects. I realized there are a lot of marvelous minds that needed that same accountability and encouragement. I also saw a great number of people who, like myself, weren’t ready, or able, to get out there and open their own storefronts. The (collective) structure that Handmade is built on gives creators and artists the ability to present their creations in a steadier environment compared to seasonal events and festivals.”

Currently, about 30 different creators from the greater Tullahoma area offer everything from baked goods, locally sourced honey, laundry detergent, driftwood lamps, alpaca scarves, wired jewelry, personal care items, candles, decorative wreaths, home decor and much more.

Are you creative? If so, Mr. Prater is always “eyes open” looking for other artists that can expand what they offer.

When asked what more can be done to support Handmade, Mr. Prater offered, “We are one of the few stores in the middle Tennessee area that focuses strictly on handmade and handcrafted goods. When people buy from Handmade, they are supporting not just one of the creators but our entire artistic community.”

Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday thru Saturday and Sunday noon to 5pm.

If you are in one of the 8,106 vehicles that travel down West Lincoln Street daily, take a minute and check out two unique shops The Swanky Hippie and Handmade.