Intentional & Beautiful Closets by McKenry and Designer Garages BY C A R R I E M C C O N K E Y | C A R R I E M C C O N K E Y.C O M Photo by Teela Shandess Photography
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IVING IN a neat and organized home is a gift that keeps on giving - providing extra mental energy, extra space, and extra time. No one knows this better than Chris McKenry, owner of Closets by McKenry and Designer Garages. Setting up shop in Los Angeles as a professional organizer in 2000, the Knoxville native became a board member and president of the L.A. Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers and received recognition for his layout and design of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Throughout the years, he has received multiple awards for his talents and was featured in Oprah’s “O” magazine, Women’s Day, the L.A. Times, and L.A. Weekly. While in California, Chris realized that the right environment can enhance organization, and he began designing custom closets. After moving home in 2015, Chris opened Closets by McKenry, and four years later, Designer Garages. Chris now helps his clients lead happier lives by offering customdesigned storage solutions for virtually every room of the house. Local freelance writer Carrie McConkey learned more about Chris’ background and services in an interview for Everything Knoxville magazine. Carrie: Your family owned and operated McKenry Produce in Knoxville. What is one lesson you learned from the business? Chris: McKenry Produce was opened by my great grandfather's brother-in-law in 1897 and was in business for more than 100 years. Starting as a one-room storefront that sold live chickens to customers, in the ’60s the company began supplying poultry to Kentucky Fried Chicken. I started working there after graduating from Carson-Newman University.
CLOSETS | PANTRY | LAUNDRY | HOME OFFICE | WALL BEDS | CUSTOM G 6
EVERYTHING KNOXVILLE
August 202 1
Photos by D. Roberts Photography
