The Willow Tree, located in the heart of downtown Johnson City, functions as a cozy coffeehouse, music room, bookstore and art gallery that features live music and homemade light eats.
The owner, Teri Dosher, proudly refers to the establishment as a community center for the Johnson City area. The Willow Tree is a popular place to mingle, catch up on homework and relax in a friendly environment.
Coffee shops function as great places to allow growth for local artists. The Willow Tree strives to provide inclusion by lining the walls with art work crafted by community members. By draping the walls in a variety of different pieces, The Willow Tree gives guests something unique to look at and a reason to return to see the new art on display.
From abstract paintings, fiber art, photography and all things in between, the walls of the Willow Tree explode with color and creativity. Each room in the coffeehouse holds separate designated purposes.
“When you first walk in, you’re surrounded by art that personally makes me happy,” Teri Dosher said. “Some of the art in this room I liked so much I payed the artist simply because I didn’t want anyone to buy it and have to let it go.”
The main room, which maintains most of the seating and the performance stage, Teri refers to as a “hodgepodge” of art.
“There’s no rhyme or reason to the art in this room; it is simply favorites of customers,” said Dosher. “We first began with the idea that it would encompass all music related art, but it has since morphed into something else. Each room is very different, and this one holds the most diversity among the three.”
“What’s in the bookstore room is a little more organized,” said Dosher. “This room focuses on featured artists. We leave it up until it’s sold, and we only do one artist at a time. The idea started out as a month-to-month basis, but we go by however long the artist lets us hold on to their work until it’s sold.”
The Willow Tree focuses on the the extent in which they can benefit each artist on display.
“We don’t take any money that comes from the sales,” said Dosher. “We don’t charge for commission because we want all of the benefits to go to the artists. We are thankful enough to be able to put such diversity on the walls of this business and showcase the talent of those in the Johnson City area.”
The Willow Tree is open Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday hours run from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
