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Being Kind Is Easy At The Kind Poppy

Being Kind Is Easy At The Kind Poppy

Article by Maria Dinoia

Photography by Danielle Del Valle

Originally published in Franklin Lifestyle

117 Third Avenue in downtown Franklin is home to the most charming and delightful store, The Kind Poppy. The building The Kind Poppy resides in was constructed in 1890 and was the original carriage house to the home on Third Avenue. Owner Autumn Grant calls it “a diamond in the rough.” The former home of Haute Dogge grooming, the property itself exudes character and Autumn’s friendly sparkle adds to the charm of the place.

The Kind Poppy carries an eclectic mix of products for bath, body and home, including all-natural room sprays and candles. They also offer ethically made and sourced fashion and handmade jewelry – all to support other independent brands and small businesses.

Autumn’s journey to business owner wasn’t in her original plans. “We’re from Illinois and my husband got a job here right out of grad school. When I first moved here I was an office manager. I really had no direction. I wasn’t using my degree. We’d moved so quickly, but I just completely fell in love with Franklin. I knew it was home.”

Autumn’s degree was in cosmetology, where she’d found her love and desire for all natural products.

She continues, “During that time, my dad, who I call Poppy got sick. And I felt so helpless being in Tennessee while he was in Illinois. I didn’t know what to do, so I just started making bath bombs as a medical fundraiser. That was the catalyst. Everyone said ‘These are the most amazing bath bombs – my body feels so soft.’ I was using all natural products. I fell in love with doing it. But I never thought I would have my own business. It was like a lightbulb went off. I get to do something that I love, that’s kind to the environment, kind to our bodies and then I get to give back.”

Autumn has made over 70,000 bath bombs by hand. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year and has now since found a manufacturer who can take her recipes and make them. She adds, “Everything is all natural, vegan and cruelty free. I wanted everything to be kind for the environment.”

This story does have a happy ending. Autumn is managing her own health and her Poppy who fought for his life for six months, is still here on earth to see the amazing store birthed in his name. TheKindPoppy.com