Inside White House’s New Creative Gathering Space: The Shops at 1929

The scent hits first.

Rich wood. Coffee brewing. Fabric and yarn. A trace of nostalgia clinging to the air like a memory you can’t quite place.

Inside The Shops at 1929 in White House, Tennessee, every corner feels intentional. Handmade treasures line the booths. Jewelry crafted from vintage silverware catches the light. Home décor, beauty items, vintage finds, hobbies, and artisan creations sit tucked carefully onto shelves that feel more like curated stories than merchandise.

But according to owner Joanne Steely, the shop was never meant to be just a store.

“I want this to be a place where people come and gather and create,” she said.

And that vision is already taking shape.

Opened in October 2025 after years of dreaming, The Shops at 1929 grew from something Joanne had quietly carried with her since her 20’s — the idea of owning a yarn shop. Before opening her storefront, she worked in the veterinary field and later medical billing, but creativity and community continued pulling at her heart.

“Everything I’ve ever dreamt of is in that store,” she shared.

Joanne is no stranger to White House’s antique and vendor community. Over the past 12 years, she has worked within several local shops, including 112 Antique Mall, where she says she received mentorship and encouragement that helped shape her own business journey.

That sense of collaboration is woven deeply into The Shops at 1929.

“When I started, I immediately had five vendors join me,” Joanne said.

Now, more creators continue approaching her, asking for a nook, a shelf, or a booth to display the pieces they’ve poured themselves into creating.

Unlike some vendor spaces where sellers remain disconnected, Joanne envisioned something more interactive and community-centered. Vendors participate in the store itself, helping create an atmosphere where customers feel invited to linger rather than rush through.

It’s why classes have become part of the vision too.

Knitting. Crochet. Painting. Creative workshops taught by people willing to share their talents with others.

“A shop of many talents,” Joanne calls it.

And perhaps that description fits perfectly.

Because inside The Shops at 1929, creativity doesn’t just sit on display — it’s alive.

There’s movement here. Growth. Ideas constantly evolving. Joanne says a local coffee spot will soon move into the space, adding another layer to the gathering-place atmosphere she’s building. She laughs while describing the business as “moving and shaking and changing,” but the heart behind it remains steady: creating a comfortable space where people can simply exist together.

“A space to create, to deny the rush and embrace the deep breath of dreaming and designing, of crafting and forming.”

That spirit extends beyond adults, too.

One of Joanne’s favorite recent moments involved a six-year-old entrepreneur who pitched the idea of opening a candy machine inside the store. “She came in and gave a whole presentation explaining why she should be a vendor here,” Joanne recalled, smiling. “She’s a force.”

Kid-focused events and family-friendly creativity pulsate within The Shops at 1929 as much as their community involvement does. Participation in local favorites like the White House Chamber’s Jingle Mingle event in November and this month’s Stagecoach Race festivities reveals Joanne’s heart to connect, as does the upcoming Outdoor Antique and Craft Fair. 

Joanne also credits much of her personal encouragement to the White House TN Lady Squad, particularly their local women’s breakfast group, which she affectionately calls her “therapy.”

“The women are wonderful,” she said with a smile.

In many ways, The Shops at 1929 feels less like a retail space and more like an extension of that same spirit — welcoming, collaborative, creative, and rooted in connection.

The worn wooden doors may keep the chaos outside for a little while, but inside, something quieter is happening.

People are slowing down.

Creating.

Gathering.

And crafting community one thread at a time.

For more information, visit The Shops at 1929 on Facebook or Instagram. Better yet, stop by for a visit (1929 31-W White House, TN).