Photo by Mike Steely
Jama Williams displays some of the locally made crafts inside Not Too Shabby Consignment. The store features clothing, furniture, jewelry, crafts, and much more.
By Mike Steely
steelym@knoxfocus.com
It’s one of those little shops where you immediately feel welcome and right at home. Not Too Shabby, next to Impromptu Home and Garden Accessories at 5901 Chapman Highway, is owned and operated by Jama M. Williams.
Jama told The Focus that she decided to open the consignment store on the suggestion of her grandson. She is helping to raise three grandchildren: Jaeden, 10, Jaeley,6, and Jaece, 2. All of the grandchildren are connected to the store and Jama says they are really the reason she opened. Jaeley will have her own corner in the store where she will be making children’s jewelry, hair bows, and crafts.
Open since November 2014, Jama says she had no idea if she could fill the store but now realizes she’s running out of space. She’s considering opening a second location nearby just to sell furniture.
Some of the merchandise at Not Too Shabby includes items Jama owned or created and many are from people who brought items in to sell. There’s just about everything you can imagine from jewelry to paintings and furniture to clothing, including Plus Sizes.
“We get several customers from Seymour but wanted to locate inside Knox County. We’re getting a lot of consignments now that people know I’m here,” she said.
How did she come up with the name of the store?
“I was painting these wooden chairs,” she said, pointing to two chairs in a front corner. “When I finished, I looked at them and said ‘Shabby!’ Then I paused and thought, ‘but not TOO shabby.’ “
While most items are consigned pieces Jama says she can’t resist buying something that she thinks will fit into the shop’s décor. Although located in a small store all of the items are well kept, creatively displayed and neatly organized.
Recently, as she talked with The Focus, two shoppers came in saying that they were new to the store and had slammed on their brakes when they saw the sign. Another woman shopping in the store said she often walks there to shop.
Not Too Shabby is the kind of store that has something for just about everyone and you can spend time simply browsing or chatting with Jama. She has excellent taste and a personality that draws customers.
As of March 1, Not Too Shabby will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. She plans to stay open until 7 p.m. during the summer.
You can find Not Too Shabby on Facebook or call 776-1006. Jama says the easiest way to reach her is by emailing her at jamawilliams@gmail.com.
