Our Story

It all started 30 years ago, when two sisters discovered they loved playing "shop". Our grandmother, lovingly referred to as "Mamarite", sold Avon and had a room in her house filled with great stuff!  She let us pretend we had our own shop and, over the years, the dream of having our own store grew.  When we were given the opportunity to purchase Cynthia Howell Stationery & Gifts, we jumped on the chance and now, after many years of dreaming, have our own little store!

Missy and Shelley grew up in nearby Cleveland, Tennessee. After graduating from Middle TN State University, Missy became an art teacher in Chattanooga and married another Cleveland native, Jay Elliott. She taught art until the birth of her first child, a sweet boy named J.Y.  Not long after, her second darling boy, Boon, was born!  After being a stay-at-home mom for a while, Missy found herself looking for a creative outlet and soon started a custom pottery company, What Not's, in the basement of her North Chattanooga home. She began by selling her one-of-a-kind pieces to friends and family, then began selling in several local shops. What Not's are now sold exclusively at Cynthia Howell and at Southern Traditions, in Cleveland. Missy continues to reside in North Chattanooga with her husband and sons, now 7 and 5,  and puppy, Scout, a precious Schnoodle!

Shelley graduated with a degree in interior design from the University of TN at Chattanooga. Staying in Chattanooga, she worked in several different jobs...product sales, residential interior design, a brief career in both non-profit and teaching, and as a bookeeper for her brother's custom woodworking company, Against the Grain,...all the while, looking for the "right" job!  In between jobs, she married Brandon Meredith, and had two beautiful children....daughter, Hayden, and son, Mac.  While on maternity leave, she was approached about becoming the manager of Cynthia Howell Stationery.  It turned out to be a life changing decision and, right away, Shelley knew she was in the right place.  She managed the store for 3 years, then, along with Missy, took ownership in February, 2009.  Shelley lives on Missionary Ridge with her husband and children, now 5 and 3,  and their new puppy, Piper, a fiesty Jack Russell mix!

We invite you to stop by and meet our fabulous staff, led by store manager, Christy Fazio, and see what Cynthia Howell Stationery & Gifts is all about!

Missy Johnson Elliott & Shelley Johnson Meredith, owners