Owners of Chattanooga Shoe Company announced that it will be opening a high-end handbag and accessories store called “The Baggery”. The store will open 2 doors down from the shoe store in the 2 North Shore shopping center on Manufacturers Rd. in Chattanooga. Charlie and Courtnay McGinness, owners of Chattanooga Shoe Company, are expected to finalize construction of the space with Croxall Construction within the next few days.
The Baggery will offer handmade leather and artisan handbags from a variety of makers, from regional artisans like Satchel (made in Savannah, Ga.), to larger and more well-known brands such as Hobo the Original and The Frye Company.
The Baggery is an original retail concept in the making since March 2013.
Friends (and partners), Charlie McGinness and Dale Stewart, brainstormed the business model over pizza at local restaurant Lupi’s. The premise was this: a niche retail model of 90-95% handmade leather and artisan handbags, and 5-10% other accessories such as jewelry and scarves. Courtnay McGinness approved, refined and expanded on the concept by sourcing handbags through local artisans as well as using her existing relationships with large companies established over the past few years with Chattanooga Shoe Company.
In addition to the business model, the store design is an original concept as well. Courtnay has partnered with Chattanooga Millworks to design a completely unique, yet somewhat retro store design, with a clean finishing touch.
A Grand Opening is expected around mid September.