Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla.
Hi Kayla, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am originally from the Hudson Valley, New York where I worked in hospitality & events. My husband and I moved to Tennessee in 2019 to start a family, but also because I wanted to start a cut flower farm. I had three babies while growing the cut flower business. Fast forward to 2023, a local friend who was opening a restaurant hired me as a consultant to get it all going. Just a few months after the restaurant’s grand opening, they asked me if I wanted to buy the restaurant. Within two days the deals were made and I became a restauranteur on my 35th birthday.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It is never a smooth road. As a mother to three littles 5 and under, every day has it’s own set of obstacles. I’m grateful for an amazing husband who supports everything I do and is also an amazing father to our girls.
Peach Street is a baby restaurant, and very quickly consumed every minute of my life, and so I had to pivot the farm business. In 2024, I cut back my summer annual flower production and focused on spring and fall crops alone. I went from 30 weddings a year to only taking 5. Then in 2025, I dropped summer annuals entirely (except for what I grow at a community you pick garden in downtown Tellico) and focused on Mother’s Day flowers, and my heirloom chrysanthemums in the fall. When my children are older and the restaurant is more predictable, I will start scaling the farm back up and take on weddings again.
In the early days of Peach Street, we struggled to attract our ideal guest. We are not on a main road, but are instead tucked away in the small downtown of Tellico off the beaten path. Our local guests helped spread the word here, but we had to work on our SEO to find those from everywhere else.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Peach Street is proud to source and serve as many locally produced (Monroe County) ingredients as possible. Our colorful plates are good for your body, and pour back into our local economy, which I think really sets us apart from those around us. We are starting to see guests travel quite a distance to dine with us. At the restaurant, I get to combine many of my passions into one product. My farm grown flowers are on the tables, herbs and edible flowers adorn our cocktails and plates. I love collaborating with other local businesses to create unique events for our guests as well. We do paired beer dinners with the brewery next door, we have a comedy night, and just recently added a cigar night with a local producer of cigars. I have an amazing team at Peach Street who all share my vision and passion for our little town of Tellico, and collaborate with me to develop our weekly dinner specials and hyper seasonal cocktail menu.
As for Gather, right now I specialize in sweet pea, ranunculus, peony, and heirloom chrysanthemum. I have a big long-term vision too. I’d love to bring a nature center and native garden walking trails to our beautiful little town of Tellico with community gardens and space for outdoor gatherings and events… Maybe even a meadery!
Farm and Tellico community You- pick: www.gathertellico.com
Peach Street: www.peachstreetgrill.com
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Earn Your Happy with Lori Harder, focusing on the entrepreneurship journey
The Marie Forleo Podcast, focusing on overall personal development.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peachstreetgrill.com
- Instagram: @gathertellico
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peachstreet423
- Other: https://www.gathertellico.com
