Chattanooga Shop History

What began as a search for warehouse space slowly became something much more.

In 2012, as Amani’s work in the United States continued to grow, Joanna and Pete Vaughn moved operations to Chattanooga, hometown of Amani founder Becky Chinchen. They found an aging brick building with enough room for storage and fulfillment, along with a few quiet storefront spaces they hoped might one day become something meaningful.

The building sat in an underserved neighborhood far from foot traffic, but over time Joanna and Pete realized the location was not an obstacle to the mission — it was becoming part of it.

As they settled into the community, Amani Chattanooga began employing people facing barriers to work, including immigrants, refugees, and those impacted by incarceration. The work of extending peace became deeply local, shaped as much by neighbors and employees as by the products themselves.

The next step came out of necessity. Amani Chattanooga had a beautiful storefront but needed to draw people to a place off the beaten path. So they looked back to Amani’s roots in Kenya. There, coffee and retail had always created places of gathering, hospitality, and connection. Inspired by that model, they opened the café in 2023 — transforming the storefront into a place where people could slow down, share a meal, and experience the story behind the work.

For Joanna, Amani has always been about more than products. Having spent part of her childhood as a refugee in Côte d'Ivoire, her understanding of beauty was shaped early through vibrant textiles, markets, and handmade objects. Years later, living in the United States added an appreciation for simplicity, restraint, and intentional design. That balance — where African artistry and modern aesthetics illuminate one another — continues to shape the heart of Amani Chattanooga today.

"When someone brings an Amani piece into their home, my hope is that they experience something deeper than function. That they recognize beauty—not just as something well-made, but something that resonates. Beauty is often felt before it is explained. It draws us in. I believe this is one of the ways we encounter our Creator.Just as the women at Amani are formed through the work of creating beautiful things, those who receive these pieces are also formed by them. The making and the receiving are both part of the story."

Over the years, the Chattanooga center has become more than a warehouse, café, or store. It is a community where people are formed through meaningful work, hospitality, beauty, and shared purpose.

“Amani has always been more than a mission.
It is a community of people being formed together.”