about boso

Tucked away in Railtown, with a view to die for, is boso bamboo boutique. A "boso" (which rhymes with "oh-so")is a bamboo house or structure commonly found in Western Africa.

Naturally inherent in bamboo is what chemists refer to as "kun". Kun is the reason why bamboo has so many benefits in addition to being a naturally self sustaining, environmentally friendly resource. Because of Kun, bamboo has a wicking ability three times that of cotton, is absorbent and odor resistant. Because bamboo naturally regulates the body temperature, the clothing and sheets keep you warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. It is no surprise the baby sleepwear makes a popular gift. Bamboo is fast drying for those who hang dry their clothing, and is washer/dryer friendly on gentle cycles. Bamboo is hypo-allergenic and chemical free, but the best feature is its incredible softness.

Owners David and Branaghlee Lane lived on the West Coast where they were introduced to bamboo products many years ago, and after living in the Valley for a number of years, thought it was the perfect place for a bamboo boutique. The local residents have welcomed "the hidden gem", and visit regularly to see what new products are available. Boso opened Oct, 2008 with "a little bit of everything". "Because of the popularity of the towels, sheets and baby wear, we now carry mainly textiles" says Branaghlee, who is constantly seeking out well-priced, casual adult clothing, and listens to the needs of her customers. "My customers are pleased with the uniqueness, quality and prices of the items. They want to shop smart and enjoy the experience."

David and Branaghlee live in Kingsport with their dog (who is a regular feature at boso). You may recognize them from Centre Stage where they are volunteer actors, and they recently filmed a TV pilot using all local cast, crew and locations. By shopping at boso you are supporting your community, as Branaghlee and David regularly donate items from boso to local fundraisers and charitable events.