AMID THE inviting storefronts on the historic Shelbyville square, The Pomegranate Shoppe is a vibrant surprise for anyone yet to open its door. Forget chain stores and predictable aisles. Unlike warehouse stock lined up on sterile shelving, treasures await at The Pomegranate, tucked here and there throughout the store, inviting a lingering look into every nook and cranny.
The shop’s variety means you’re bound to find the perfect gift or item for your wants and needs. Glittering jewelry catches your eye. Many pieces align perfectly with your style, and deciding which will go home with you today is hard. Candles promise whispers of relaxation and inviting scents, while unique home decor beckons with a playful wink.
Even the men’s section, often an afterthought, boasts special finds. Find a sporty shirt supporting your home state and favorite team. Appreciate coolers and travel mugs destined for take-along fun and adventure. For that upcoming bridal shower or wedding, choose from your couple’s bridal registry and have the item wrapped and waiting for you.
But The Pomegranate isn’t just about individual finds. It’s about the unexpected combinations and the serendipitous discoveries that spark creativity. Imagine pairing a rustic candle with a modern vase or gifting a playful baby toy alongside a luxurious bathrobe. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination.
Owner Kimberly McGee Miller and her “POM Squad” are happy to guide you or leave you to explore the shop at your own pace.
The shop first opened in 1987 and still operates with the same spirit and imagery of the pomegranate in the Bible, representing fruitfulness, blessings, and prosperity. Miller and her parents, David and Shirley McGee, purchased the shop in 2007.
“The already flourishing business was built on the fruit of the spirit — that anything is possible with God. My mom, dad, and I have all tried to continue that belief that we can do and tackle anything that comes our way,” Miller said.
And tackle it, they do. Miller passionately tackles the challenges of maintaining a local business in the age of online shopping. With the help of her outstanding associates and work family, she handles the building’s maintenance while involving the store in community events. She does all this while keeping an eye on the always-changing selection of merchandise, tailored to her customers’ expectations.
Miller said, “Day-to-day struggles are little speed bumps of challenges that can make or break a business. If we all focused on the little things, we might miss the bigger picture, which is the dream of owning and operating a productive retail business in our little city.”
Her customers’ needs are always on her radar.
“It’s been an ever-changing business, trying to keep up with the trends and the wants and wishes of our customers. Our business motto has always been, ‘If it’s good for us and we like it, then maybe someone else will too,’” she said. “We have grown, lost, lived, and loved being a part of this small community and city in this historic district [in] my hometown.”
Starting at age 13 in her dad’s local pharmacy, she never imagined she’d still be there today, decades later. But the pull of family and community proved stronger than the allure of big city dreams. After a brief time away, she returned to Shelbyville with her husband to raise their family and, later, nurture a new dream: The Pomegranate.
Today, she juggles roles at the pharmacy and boutique, finding joy in connecting with people and seeing her vision come to life in the heart of her hometown.
Miller said, “It’s hard to talk about one of our businesses without talking about the other family businesses. We just want everyone to know how important it is to support any local business, as all of us are trying to work hard. I am grateful for all my parents have sacrificed for me, and they know I have sacrificed for them, too.”
But it’s a sacrifice that’s dear to her heart for both her family and the public served by their local businesses.
“They say if you love what you do, you’ll never regret it a day in your life,” she said. “I have had no regrets and absolutely love working with the public and in retail for all our customers. Seeing, being, and loving people is what I do, and I hope it shows how much I love doing it.”
Married to her high school sweetheart, Spencer Miller, for over 30 years, the couple is at home in Shelbyville, where they have raised two children. Their son, Seth, recently graduated from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and lives in Chattanooga. Their daughter, Kennedy, attends Middle Tennessee State University and studies psychology. She commutes part time to work as The Pomegranate Shoppe’s social media specialist.
Symphonies of diverse interests color Miller’s world. From an eclectic taste in music, a profound appreciation for various art forms, and a love for capturing moments through the lens of photography, her life is a canvas painted with vibrant hues.
Recently, she’s embarked on a new adventure of swinging clubs on the golf course, discovering the joy in every stroke. Beyond the fairways, her family rallies around their shared passion for hockey, and the thrill of live music leads them to explore venues near and far.
It all fuels and motivates everything she does in each role she fills.
Leaving The Pomegranate Shoppe, you’ll have a bag full of purchases, a story to tell, a memory to cherish, and a newfound appreciation for the beauty that unfolds when unique finds and a passionate community collide. GN
