Holiday spirit

Photo by Leslie Karnowski

Deborah Pope, left, and Beth Lewis pose for a photograph together Accent on Home in Maryville.

Photo by Leslie Karnowski

Beth Lewis, left, helps Ellie Temple at Accent on Home on West Lamar Alexander Parkway in Maryville.

There are some folks in Blount County who have been Christmas shopping since at least mid-November, thanks to Accent on Home’s open house. Folks wanting to get into the holiday spirit while getting a head start on their Christmas shopping joined community and Blount County Chamber of Commerce members on Nov. 18 to visit a beautifully decorated and ready for the holidays Accent on Home.

Business owner Debbie Pope had the new store decorated, and patrons enjoyed the festive sights, sounds and smells of the holidays.

“We had a lot of good food and drinks,” said Pope. “It was delicious and was homemade by Beth Priddy, who works with me, and me. We made all the refreshments. It was something we enjoyed doing, and the guests enjoyed as well,” Pope said. “The store was totally decorated for Christmas with two fully decorated trees in the store.”

Pope said she features a full array of gift items. “We have four different food gifts, and we have a lot of gifts for men,” she said. “A lot of places have plenty of gifts for women but lack gifts for men, so we make sure we offer something for the guys, too.”

Pope said Accent on Homes also has gifts made by local artisans, including ink pens and baskets. The store also features high end items like Baggallini purses. She gave one away as her main door prize at the open house.

The store also features Lampe Berger fragrant oil lamps, which are different from other room air fresheners. “It deodorizes and eliminates odor. It is not like a candle and does not camouflage odor, it eliminates it,” she said.

Accent on Home is located at 1778 West Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville. For more information, call 865-984-9229.