Sage Kohler State Farm opens doors to renovated office
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Hardin Valley State Farm agent Sage Kohler cuts the cake during her Friday, Jan. 7, open house, celebrating 100 years of State Farm and her new office space at 11519 Hardin Valley Road. - Photo submitted
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Sage Kohler held an open house to show her newly renovated State Farm office in Hardin Valley. - Photo submitted
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Hardin Valley State Farm agent Sage Kohler, right, is pictured with attorney Jay Kohlbusch, who attended her Friday, Jan. 7, open house and previously owned her “new” office building, “even inadvertently (dressing) like Jake from State Farm (photo cutout),” she said. - Photo submitted
State Farm agent Sage Kohler has a newly renovated Hardin Valley office she is sharing not only with customers, but also the community.
She hosted an open house Friday, Jan. 7, to showcase the former historic residence-turned-business located just west of Food City at 11519 Hardin Valley Road.
The event also celebrated the 100-year anniversary of State Farm, and featured a cake, appetizers and live music from Jackson Frazier of the band Solstice.
“While we were hoping for more attendance, with COVID, the bad weather (28-degree high that day) and school being closed, we enjoyed the company of about 50 different folks during the course of the afternoon,” she said. “And, everyone enjoyed getting a tour.
Especially Jay Kohlbusch, who owned the building from 2008 to 2017 and ran his law office from it. He even inadvertently dressed like Jake (from State Farm, the print and TV advertisement character).”
Kohler, who also is a founding member and president of the Hardin Valley Business and Community Alliance, said the front portion of the home was built in early 1800s, the back in 1990s, and down through the years underwent many additions and renovations before she purchased it last year.
“The home was built originally by the Gallaher family and owned by them until the mid 1980s,” she said. “The last Gallaher family member to live here was Macy Mack Gallaher, a fifth-generation Tennessean born in 1889.
“I spoke with Rev. Donald Hubbard, and he told me of sitting by the fireplace in the front room in the ’80’s, talking with Macy and hearing stories of his life including being a soldier in France in WWI, rebuilding the Upper Gallaher Ferry that connected Oak Ridge and Hardin Valley, as well as stories about working his family farm and dairy,” Kohler added.
How invested in Kohler?
“I have put my heart, soul and money into this house and tried to maintain its integrity and history over six months of renovations,” she said during a walk-through of the two-story showplace, which features a welcoming foyer, her own office, fashioned from what once was the master bedroom, meeting rooms, an oversized kitchen, a screened-in porch and a small gym upstairs to help motivate her agents, all situated on more than an acre of land.
Additionally, she is adding touches of regional history, including doors and a bookshelf from well-known Knoxville businesses.
“The couple who owned this house in the 1990s and did the most reconstructive work were friends with the owners of Knoxville Salvage, so they really paid attention to details,” Kohler said.
Outside are Adirondack chairs, a fire pit and picnic tables, along with an outbuilding complete with sound studio she is sharing with under-construction Valley Church.
“Eventually, I see the Studio as more of a community center,” she said of the property.
Previously, Kohler’s offices were located in Hardin Valley’s Pure Luxe building. She has been with State Farm in various capacities for 37 years.
