Why I Moved My Family — and My Business — to Johnson City, TN
According to Cristi Lemanski, Johnson City, Tennessee, has everything a young, entrepreneurial family could want. Cristi married East Tennessee native Michael Lemanski and soon after found her love for the Volunteer State. After having their first child, Michael and Cristi knew East Tennessee would be where they would raise their daughter. As co-owner of Top Drawer Cabinetry & More, Cristi has found raising a family and growing their new business in Johnson City to be an easy transition with the support of the community and so many resources available at her fingertips.
Was there something specific that drew your family back to where Michael is from?
After vacationing together in East Tennessee for over 20 years, we always knew East Tennessee was where we wanted to raise our family someday. Two key factors that influenced our decision to settle in Johnson City were finding the right school for our daughter and ensuring our niche business could continue to thrive in an area with similar growth potential. After careful consideration, we were excited to make Johnson City our home in January 2024.
Do you have any favorite restaurants or local coffee shops that you recommend to people who are new to the area?
The Label for date night, Southern Craft for barbecue and The Kitchen at Grace Meadows Farm for some good country cooking are places we enjoy. Our favorite meeting spots would be Still Waters Coffeehouse and Wheeler’s Bagels.
Are there any annual events or festivals that you always look forward to?
In our first year here, we have enjoyed the Fridays after 5, the Blue Plum Festival, Farmers Market, Candy Land Christmas, Christmas Tree Lighting, Christmas Parade and everything in between that downtown Johnson City has to offer. We have also enjoyed Music on the Square in downtown Jonesborough and the many festivals and parades throughout the year. The Lakeside Concert Series during the summer at Winged Deer Park would also be a highlight for us.
How was it moving Top Drawer Cabinetry & More from Florida to Johnson City?
The transition of moving our successful business, that we had for over a decade in Port St. Lucie, Florida, to Johnson City has been truly rewarding. We believe our move came at just the right time. We rebranded our business to better align with the local market and have essentially started over. We’ve been fortunate to make meaningful connections through the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce, the Johnson City Area Home Builders Association, FoundersForge and various local networking groups. We have been incredibly blessed by the strong interest and support of local businesses. It feels as though the solid reputation we had built in Florida followed us to East Tennessee, and we are so grateful.
How has being a part of the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce helped your business grow?
From the moment we launched our business in Tennessee, becoming a member of the Chamber was one of our first priorities. Being involved in what the Chamber offers has provided Top Drawer Cabinetry & More invaluable opportunitiesfor networking, mentorship and educational classes. These opportunities have positioned us as a trusted local business, increasing our visibility and greatly contributing to our success. One of the most valuable aspects of our involvement in the Chamber has been the sense of community. The Chamber’s focus on fostering new business has made us feel like we’re part of something bigger, and this sense of belonging has inspired us to continue growing and contributing to the local economy here in Johnson City.
What was it like participating in the Johnson City Chamber’s CO.STARTERS Pitch Night?
Participating in the CO.STARTERS Pitch Night was essential to the growth of Top Drawer Cabinetry & More. Moving our business, that was making over a half-million dollars in revenue, to a new state was a significant transition, and we wanted to ensure we had a solid foundation. CO.STARTERS, a 10-week program offered by the Chamber, provided an opportunity to connect with local entrepreneurs and help us refine our business strategy. We earned third place at Pitch Night and were truly humbled by the recognition and the $1,000 prize.
Get to Know Johnson City, TN
Read more about living and working in Johnson City at
livability.com/tn/johnson-city.