IN THIS ISSUE · SPRING 2026 — Read the cover story
What if shopping could actually feel therapeutic?
Not just the temporary rush of buying something new, but a genuine sense of calm, inspiration, and connection. That idea became the foundation for Glass Tangerine, one of Cookeville’s most unique retail experiences located in the heart of the WestSide.
Created by former therapist turned entrepreneur Emma Crabtree, Glass Tangerine was designed to be more than a plant shop. It is a space centered around mindfulness, creativity, community, and self-expression.
“When I left the therapy space, I worried that a large piece of my identity would be lost during the transition,” Emma shared. “I didn’t realize that the same ideals I shared with my patients, namely mindfulness, being present, creating a safe space to think, decompress, and commune with one’s self, would become a reality in this shop.”
She continued, “Instead of helping one person at a time, Glass Tangerine gives me the opportunity to bring healing to a community. We don’t even have a phone here, that’s intentional. This shop is designed, in every way, to be an escape, an oasis, and place of revitalization.”
With a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fiber Concentration from Tennessee Tech University, Emma carefully curated every detail of the space to create an elevated retail experience unlike anything else in the Upper Cumberland.
“Cookeville deserves elevated experiences and I feel that these often happen in niche markets,” Emma explained. “Glass Tangerine exists in a niche market, but it is built for everyone.”
From the lighting and layout to the plant selection and artisan partnerships, intentionality is woven into every corner of the store.
“To create an elevated experience, each detail must be intentional,” Emma said. “From the plants we source to the crafters we partner with, even down to the lumens of the light bulbs in our fixtures, every single detail of this shop is built to elevate Cookeville, connect its citizens with elegance, and open a portal to a world this city has yet experienced.”
Inside Glass Tangerine, every plant is real, every shelf is thoughtfully curated, and many of the products are handcrafted by local artisans or responsibly sourced creators who align with the shop’s values. Customers can build custom bouquets at the year-round flower bar, shop for houseplants, learn proper plant care, or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
The shop also partners with Three Sisters Farm each year from April through October to source fresh flowers locally.
Emma’s vision extends beyond retail. She wanted Glass Tangerine to become a place where people feel welcomed, educated, and inspired regardless of their experience level with plants.
“I had the desire to create a space with a specific vibe and feel,” Emma shared. “A single shop that was at the same time a plant store, and a home for local artisans, education, and community. I wanted to create the space I seek out in other cities when traveling, but I wanted to do it with my aesthetic approach here in Cookeville’s WestSide.”
Whether customers are repotting their first plant, creating a wedding bouquet, or transforming their homes into indoor jungles, the Glass Tangerine team works to make every experience approachable and encouraging.
“Don’t be intimidated,” Emma said. “We will work with you so that you are set up for success. We won’t sell you things you don’t need, or plants that are difficult to care for. You will leave with instructions tailored to your plant and environment. We will help you enter and thrive in the world of plant care. You won’t regret the journey.”
In a fast-paced world, Glass Tangerine offers something increasingly rare: a place to slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience genuine retail therapy right here in Cookeville.
-by Andrew Buckner, photos by Cris Stroud
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