Love, Community & Connection
For such a short month, February certainly manages to pack in an incredible amount of excitement and charm. As the hustle and bustle of the new year begins to settle, it’s the perfect time to find comfort in cozy sweaters, scarves, and boots while savoring the winter season. February brings with it a delightful mix of celebrations—Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ birthdays, President’s Day, Black History Month, and, of course, the Super Bowl, each offering its own unique opportunity to gather with loved ones and create memories.
On a personal note, February holds a special place in my heart. Not only do I celebrate my own birthday this month, but it’s also the time when my significant other, David, marks his special day. Having our birthdays so close together adds an extra layer of festivity to this already vibrant time of year. But beyond these personal milestones, February stands out for another reason—it’s the month of our annual "Love Local" issue, a tradition that fills me with pride and gratitude.
This special issue is all about highlighting the heart and soul of our community— the small businesses, artisans, and neighbors who make our city such a wonderful place to live. This month, we learn about Mac Gallagher Design, a business specializing in bespoke fine paper goods where founder McKinley Ranager Gallagher has cultivated a studio that transforms life's most cherished moments into tangible keepsakes. Zach and Ashton Gifford, owners of Closets by Design Chattanooga share their journey to business ownership. We give you a preview of Events Hatched's 2025 Festival line up with events throughout the year beginning in April. We revisit Plum Nelly and learn more about owner, Catharine Daniels' story. Finally, we bring you an easy salad recipe to try this month with friends or your significant other.
As you navigate this February, I encourage you to bundle up and explore everything our city has to offer. Take time to celebrate the people you hold dear, the traditions you love, and the moments that spark joy. And don’t forget to sprinkle in a few random acts of kindness along the way. Often, it’s those small, thoughtful gestures—a warm smile, a helping hand, or an encouraging word—that leave the deepest impact on others.
Here's to a month of love, community, and connection! Cheers!
LISA YOCKEY, PUBLISHER
February 2025
PUBLISHER
Lisa Yockey | lisa.yockey@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Belinda Martin | belinda.martin@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Amalia Loli, Michelle W. Parnell
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Amalia Loli, Mac Gallagher Designs
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelesy Ragain
Hannah Leimkuhler
QUALITY CONTROL
CFC Hosts Holiday Party for Boys & Girls Club of Chattanooga
Chattanooga Football Club (CFC) hosted a holiday party for the city’s Boys & Girls Club as part of the club’s Season of Giving, presented by Food City. The club provided food and games and arranged for a visit from Santa. “We were thrilled to be with the Boys & Girls Club and to put on this holiday party,” said CFC Community Relations Manager Mikaela Sites. “It’s a really special time for us to spend time in the community and invest in its future.”
Borrow Luxury: Redefining Fine Jewelry and Supporting Small Businesses
Borrow Luxury, a fine jewelry rental platform, launches to offer effortless access to exquisite pieces while empowering small businesses. By partnering with local jewelers, Borrow Luxury helps monetize unsold inventory, promotes sustainability, and fosters collaboration in the jewelry industry. Customers enjoy hassle-free rentals, curated collections, and mindful luxury, transforming how fine jewelry is experienced. Founder Marisanne emphasizes, “We’re about sharing elegance and creating a ripple effect of support.” Explore at www.borrow-luxury.com
LIFE FORCE Honored as 2024 Flight Program of the Year
LIFE FORCE Air Medical, a division of Erlanger Health System, has been honored as the 2024 Flight Program of the Year by the Association of Air Medical Services. Celebrating 35 years of service, LIFE FORCE operates six bases across East Tennessee, North Georgia, Northeast Alabama, and Western North Carolina, utilizing a fleet of advanced aircraft to provide critical care transport. Their commitment to safety, clinical excellence, and community engagement has led to over 50,000 patient transports.
Photography by Erlanger Health System
Photography by James Isaac Jones Photography
Photography by Chattanooga Football Club
Mac Gallagher Design
Mac Gallagher Design stands as a testament to the artistry and dedication of its founder, McKinley Ranager Gallagher. Specializing in bespoke fine paper goods, McKinley has cultivated a studio that transforms life's most cherished moments into tangible keepsakes.
McKinley's journey into the world of fine paper began with a personal touch; her husband affectionately nicknamed her "Mac," a moniker that now graces her business. This personal connection is evident in every piece she creates, infusing warmth and individuality into her designs.
At Mac Gallagher Design, the focus is on creating custom artwork that elevates any occasion. The studio offers a comprehensive range of services, including bespoke wedding suites that set the tone for unforgettable celebrations. From custom watercolor venue paintings to sketches of beloved pets, each piece is meticulously crafted to reflect the unique essence of the event and the individuals involved.
Beyond weddings, McKinley's talents extend to celebrating new life with custom baby door hangers, a cherished tradition in the South. These personalized pieces announce the arrival of a newborn with elegance and charm, becoming treasured mementos for families.
The studio also caters to everyday stationery needs, offering a variety of notepads, thank-you cards, and other paper goods that add a touch of sophistication to daily correspondence. Each item is designed with the same attention to detail and artistic flair that defines McKinley's work.
McKinley's commitment to her craft and her clients is evident in her booking schedule; she found herself fully booked for 2024 and is now accepting commissions for 2025. This demand speaks volumes about the quality and uniqueness of her creations, as well as the trust and admiration she has garnered within the community.
Her faith also plays a significant role in her work, with the biblical verse 1 John 4:19, "We love because He first loved us,"
serving as a guiding principle for her designs and interactions with clients.
In addition to her website, McKinley shares her creative process and latest projects on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok (@mckinleygallagher), offering followers a behind-the-scenes look at her artistry and the stories behind each piece.
Mac Gallagher Design is more than a fine paper studio; it's a celebration of life's milestones through art. McKinley's ability to capture the essence of each occasion in her work has made her a beloved figure in Chattanooga's artistic community. Her designs not only dazzle but also tell the unique stories of the individuals and events they represent, making her contributions to the local art scene truly invaluable.
To learn more about McKinley’s work, visit her website: mckinleygallagher.com .
McKinley Gallagher,
McKinley Gallagher, the owner of Mac Gallagher Design, is a Mississippi native now living in Chattanooga with her husband, son, and their German Shorthaired Pointer, Moose. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Mississippi State University, McKinley worked in screen printing before pursuing her passion for luxury wedding stationery. Combining her love for design, print production, and painting, McKinley now creates beautiful custom designs. With her expertise in design and production, McKinley is committed to providing an exceptional experience for her clients. She’s passionate, dedicated, and grateful for every opportunity.
Closets By Design Chattanooga
ZACH AND ASHTON GIFFORD SHARE THEIR JOURNEY TO BUSINESS OWNERSHIP
ARTICLE BY MICHELLE W. PARNELL
Following the path that brought Zach and Ashton Gifford to open Closets by Design Chattanooga shows that past experiences and future dreams can intertwine to create new opportunities.
Zach, who grew up in the Chattanooga area, joined the Navy after high school and served our country for thirteen years. “My first six years, I was enlisted,” shared Zach. “Then I got my degree in mechanical engineering, was commissioned as a junior officer, and went back in on active duty as an ensign. I was a submarine officer for three years before transferring into the intelligence community.”
Deployments and assignments took Zach away from the area, but when he got out of the Navy, Zach headed home to Chattanooga to care for his father who was living with Parkinson’s disease. Not long after returning, he met Ashton.
“After we met, I looked into nursing and ended up going to Northeast Alabama Community College and got my associate’s degree in nursing,” said Ashton. “I worked as a nurse for about six years at Erlanger with women's oncology and during my time there, I earned my bachelor's degree of nursing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.”
In 2020, Zach and Ashton married in a small ceremony not long after a special marriage proposal. "We had been dating for about six years and in September of 2020, we went on a vacation down to Pensacola,” remembered Zach. “We stayed at the beach and on the last day we were there, I proposed to her right there on the beach. There were people at the hotels on their balconies who saw us and were cheering and yelling for us.”
As Zach pondered his next career move, he considered a postgraduate degree in automotive engineering but instead felt the pull to step out and try something new and exciting, specifically opening his own business. As Zach began exploring business opportunities, a franchise consultant connected him with Closets by Design.
“We got in touch with a franchise consultant out of Jacksonville, Florida, and before consulting, he had been in the closet business down there for a few years,” said Zach. “But he was actually a competitor of the Closets by Design franchise in Jacksonville and said he just could not compete with what they offered. He knew it was a solid company that provided fantastic support for franchises from the corporate headquarters, and he got me really excited about it.”
The more Zach spoke with the co-founder and President, and other franchise owners, his confidence in building this business relationship grew. After months of preparation and training, Closets by Design Chattanooga opened in the summer of 2024 with Zach and Ashton both ready to assist customers.
With over forty years of experience, Closets by Design corporate leaders have intentionally developed a business model that allows franchise owners to succeed in providing customers with organizational solutions using excellent products combined with an emphasis on friendly and reliable service.
“We help people get organized by providing a space for them to organize all of life’s stuff,” said Zach. “While it is a very functional product, it's also a beautiful product, and we strive to bring to life each customer’s vision.”
“We take pride in the fact that we create local jobs and hire local people. We handle everything in-house and by not outsourcing or subcontracting parts, we maintain quality control.”
Since 1982, Closets by Design has built a reputation of integrity as the industry leader in customer service and total customer satisfaction.
Zach and Ashton Gifford are proud to provide Chattanoogans with custom tailored designs and the highest quality product construction.
Closets by Design provides multi-solution organizational systems for all kinds of spaces including offices, bedrooms, mud rooms, garages, craft rooms, laundry rooms, and pretty much any place where items are stored at home or in an office setting. Solution possibilities include cabinets, shelving, desks, wall beds, and the option for floor-based systems, meaning that products are built from the floor up and elements are not hung from walls. With an almost endless combination of pieces, it is easy to customize a system for a variety of needs.
Creating a personalized organizational solution begins when designers meet with customers to find out each customer’s wants, needs, and budget. “Our designers go in and take the time to listen to the client,” said Ashton. “They want to understand the client’s needs and give them that basic functionality while letting the client design the closet that they want at the price that they want.” Once a customized design is created, the components are manufactured and installed, giving customers a new, beautiful space to enjoy.
Although it is a franchise model, Closets by Design Chattanooga is a locally owned business that pours back into the community by hiring local people to handle each aspect of projects from design to manufacturing to installation.
“We take pride in the fact that we create local jobs and hire local people,” shared Zach. “We handle everything in-house and by not outsourcing or subcontracting parts, we maintain quality control. It also allows us to have a quicker turnaround time. If there are problems or issues, we can tackle them within a day or two instead of it being a three- or four-week turnaround to get something reproduced from somewhere else.”
In addition to believing in the high quality of the products and services they provide and finding satisfaction in helping customers find organizational
solutions, Zach and Ashton both truly enjoy interacting with the people they meet and work with on a daily basis.
“I just love Closets by Design in general,” shared Ashton. “From the corporate side, everyone is always super nice and helpful. I also love the people who we work with. We have a tremendous staff with us and whether it be the people at our front office, the production team, our install guys, or our designers, they are all really great! Everyone is very nice and supportive of one another.”
As an added bonus, Zach and Ashton find that working together daily is a pleasant change from their previous careers.
“I love the fact that I get to see him all day long,” said Ashton. “As a nurse, I worked night shift and most of the time, I worked three days in a row. I would swap my days and nights all the time, I was constantly tired, and I got to see him maybe two or three days a week. Now that we get to work together, I really enjoy the fact that we just get to be together. During exciting times and hard times, we are there for each other.”
“We share an office here,” adds Zach. “Our desks are right next to each other. At lunchtime, we can close the door, eat lunch together, and just have some personal time even while we're at the office. It's really awesome.”
Zach and Ashton bring a love of people and an excitement to help others to Closets by Design Chattanooga. No matter if the project is small or large, their friendly team members are happy to find the best organizational solutions for your home and office.
Closets by Design is a local and veteran owned franchise located at 210 Hamm Road Suite A in Chattanooga. For more information on which Closets by Design personalized storage and organizational solutions will work best for you and to book a consultation, visit chattanooga.closetsbydesign.com or call 423-922-5446. Also follow Closets by Design Chattanooga on Facebook and Instagram.
Closets by Design Chattanooga Owners, Zach & Ashton Gifford
We help people get organized by providing a space for them to organize all of life’s stuff. While it is a very functional product, it's also a beautiful product, and we strive to bring to life each customer’s vision.
IF YOU ARE READING THIS... SO IS YOUR BEST CLIENT.
Events Hatched
Committed to Creating Engaging, Memorable, and Community-Focused Experiences Across Tennessee
Events Hatched is a premier event production firm specializing in community and brand engagement across Tennessee’s major cities: Chattanooga, Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville. With over 15 years of marketing and event management experience, the company is hyper-focused on customer experience and service. Their 2025 festival calendar is packed with diverse events catering to various interests. Food lovers in Chattanooga can indulge in Burger Week, featuring $8 burger deals at local restaurants. The Makers Market in Franklin provides a lakeside shopping experience with unique treasures from local artisans. Fitness enthusiasts can participate in Yoga on the Field at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium, a twilight yoga class followed by a happy hour. The Summer Cocktail Fest in Memphis and Chattanooga offers refreshing sips at the season’s hottest party. Margarita Festival in Chattanooga and Knoxville allows attendees to sample margaritas from top local bars and restaurants. Bacon & Barrel in Franklin and Chattanooga brings together bacon-loving local restaurants with barrel-aged spirits for an evening of southern indulgence.
Events Hatched’s commitment to creating engaging and memorable experiences has solidified their reputation as a leader in event production throughout Tennessee. Their diverse portfolio of events ensures there’s something for everyone, fostering community engagement and brand connection across the region.
Learn more about Events Hatched’s 2025 Festival Calendar and purchase tickets at: eventshatched.com .
Burger Week
Events Hatched's commitment to creating engaging and memorable experiences has solidified their reputation as a leader in event production throughout Tennessee. Their diverse portfolio of events ensures there's something for everyone, fostering community engagement and brand connection across the region.
Explore Chattanooga in a whole new way, eating your way through Scenic City with $8 burger deals at hot local restaurants. In this city-wide, weeklong event, burger lovers will have the opportunity to enjoy burger deals from participating restaurants, challenge their taste buds, and connect and share their experiences on social with other Chattanooga foodies, all while being entered to win awesome prizes!
April 24-27, 2025
Summer Cocktail Festival
Splash into summer with the Chattanooga Cocktail Festival. Events Hatched is bringing back the hottest festival of the summer with a tropical twist, featuring fresh summer sips, tasty eats, and ALL the fun vibes. Your ticket includes 12 fun-size summer inspired cocktails, plus access to all the festivities and entertainment. This event is 21+ only. Please celebrate responsibly
June 27, 2025 | 6PM - 9PM
First Horizon Pavilion
Margarita Festival Bacon & Barrel
Join us as Chattanooga’s favorite restaurants compete for the title of Best Margarita in town! Work your way through your Sample Passport that includes 10 mini margaritas, plus enjoy live entertainment by local DJs, a Margarita Fest photobooth and some of Chattanooga’s tastiest food vendors (food for purchase). Not sure if you like your margs salted, shaken, spicy, or frozen? Sip the night away and then vote for your favorite. This event supports the Chattanooga Market, so every sip counts.
August 9, 2025 | 6PM-9 PM First Horizon Pavilion
Let’s get hog-wild as we bring together bacon-loving local restaurants and barrel-aged spirits from around the world to savor an evening of southern indulgence. Your Bacon & Barrel ticket includes unlimited samples of signature bacon-themed dishes and 12 whiskey samples, plus live music, fun photo opps, and more. Beer, wine, and full sized cocktails will be available for purchase at the bar.
September 26, 2025 | 6PM-9PM
First Horizon Pavilion
Plum Nelly
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.”
ARTICLE BY MICHELLE W. PARNELL
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.
Chattanooga's Destination for Unique Gifts Handcrafted by Local Artisans
Catharine Daniels, Owner
“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.
CONTINUED >
Caroline Polansky
Prentice Hicks
Dana Shavin
A SALAD REC IPE TO LOV E
A GORGEOUS, FRESH AND SIMPLE DISH
PEAR, PROSCIUTTO,
Burrata Salad
INGREDIENTS
• Ripe Pear
• Prosciutto
• Burrata
• Lemon Zest
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Dried Figs
• Red Pepper Flakes
DIRECTIONS
1. Slice the ripe pear into thin slices.
2. Arrange pear slices on a plate, creating a base for the salad.
3. Nestle slices of prosciutto in-between pear slices, a perfect combo of sweet and savory.
4. Tear the burrata into bite-sized pieces and scatter them over the salad adding a velvety creaminess to the ensemble.
5. Grate fresh lemon zest over the entire salad, infusing it with citrus flavor.
6. Top with fresh basil, figs and pepper flakes.
7. Finish by generously drizzling extra virgin olive oil over the salad, creating a silky texture that ties it all together.
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
FEBRUARY 7TH
2025 Tri-State Home Show
Chattanooga Convention Center | 10:00 AM
The Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga presents the 2025 Tri-State Home Show, February 7-9, at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Explore the latest in home construction, renovation, and design. Show hours: Friday and Saturday, 10AM–7PM; Sunday, 11AM–5PM. Tickets: $10 for adults, free for children under 16. Don't miss this premier home improvement event!
FEBRUARY 8TH
Brush of Love: Paint Your Partner
Leeric Lodge & Resort | 5:00 PM
Celebrate love and creativity at "Brush of Love - Paint Your Partner" on February 8th, 5–8 PM, at Leeric Lodge & Resort on Center Hill Lake. Enjoy a fun-filled evening painting with your partner, complete with mocktails and gourmet charcuterie boards. No artistic experience required—just bring your favorite person and a willingness to have fun!
FEBRUARY 13TH
Galentine's Exclusive Event
Common House Chattanooga | 4:00 PM
Celebrate friendship at the Galentine's Exclusive Event on Thursday, February 13, from 4PM-6PM at Common House Chattanooga, 1517 Mitchell Avenue. Hosted by Bridging Wealth Solutions and Acceptance Alchemy, this special gathering offers pampering, networking, and bonding with your favorite ladies. Don't miss this opportunity to indulge and connect! Reserve your spot today.
FEBRUARY 20TH
Houston Museum of Art’s 51st Antiques Show
The Signal | 7:00 PM
Kick off the festivities of the Houston Museum of Art’s 51st Antiques Show on February 20th with the glamorous Preview Party at The Signal, 7PM. The main event runs February 21-23, featuring the finest antiques and collectibles. Visit The Signal, 10AM-5PM (Fri-Sat) and 11AM-3PM (Sun). Admission: $20 for all three days. Don’t miss this timeless treasure!
FEBRUARY 20TH
Six: The Musical Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium | 7:30 PM
Experience the electrifying musical Six: The Musical on February 20-25! The show reimagines the lives of the six wives of Henry VIII through modern pop anthems, offering a fresh and vibrant take on history. Don’t miss this Broadway sensation with unforgettable tunes and fierce female empowerment.
FEBRUARY 21ST
Houston Museum of Art's Appraisal Fair with
Heritage Auctions
The Signal | 10:00 AM
Discover the value of your hidden treasures! On February 21st, join Heritage Auctions at The Signal from 10AM to 5PM for an exclusive Appraisal Fair. Bring your cherished items for expert auction appraisals and uncover their worth. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect with the world of antiques and collectibles!
ANTIQUES SHOW & SALE
FEBRUARY 21ST – 23RD 2025 at The Signal Ballroom 21 Choo Choo Ave, Chattanooga, TN
Preview Party: Feb. 20 • Appraisal Fair: Feb. 21 • Champagne Brunch: Feb. 22
Benefiting the Houston Museum of Decorative Arts Scan for Tickets, Events, and Show Hours
FEBRUARY 22ND
Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Bubbles of Fun Run
Tennessee RiverPark - Hubert Fry Center (Shelter #4) | 9:00 AM
Benefiting the Austin Hatcher Foundation, the fifth annual Bubbles of Fun Run is a celebration of joy and hope as runners raise funds to provide a brighter future for families faced with pediatric cancer. Participants can choose from a certified, chip-timed 5K/10K race, or a 1-mile fun run for this family-friendly community event. Pet & Stroller Friendly. Register today: hatcherfoundation.org/run.
FEBRUARY 22ND
Champagne Brunch with Heather Turner
Renaissance Commons | 9:30 AM
Join the Houston Museum of Art on February 22nd for an elegant Champagne Brunch at Renaissance Commons, 9:30AM–11:00AM. Enjoy a delightful meal and inspiring insights from Heather Turner of Thrifted Home Co. Tickets include brunch and admission to the Antiques Show. A perfect blend of style, creativity, and timeless treasures awaits!
