Jim (class of '93) and Chris ('95) met in 1991 at the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland, and established a strong friendship that endured while the Navy and careers moved them around the world. They vowed to get together at least once a year, no matter what life might bring! Time has marched on, they married JoAnn and Diana (respectively), together started and raised families, and the two friends have kept that promise for over three decades.
Over the last 10 years, the two families explored going into business together focused on hospitality, and initially wanted to own an RV campground. Last July, while flying home after an Alaskan cruise, Diana suggested, "How about a B&B, instead of a campground?" They agreed to focus on inns near the mountains in the Southeast, with a two-year timeframe to get started. Just for fun, JoAnn googled "B&Bs for sale in Tennessee" and was shocked to find one not only in Chattanooga but literally just a few miles from their home! It was clearly a sign from God - the first of many! - and ten months later, the two couples are the proud new owners of St Francis Cottage. It's a beautiful property and established business; more importantly, the Cottage aligns with their shared family heritages, Catholic Christian faith, love of animals and nature, and call to serve others.
To share more about the owners, James (Jim) and JoAnn are high school sweethearts who grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. Over their 31 year marriage, JoAnn homeschooled their five children while moving up and down the east coast for job changes and Jim's 31-year Navy Reserve career (taking him around the world). They have called Chattanooga home since 2014, with Jim working for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and volunteering many years as a Scout leader. JoAnn has a journalism degree from UNC Chapel Hill, and has dabbled in teaching, writing, editing, art, catering, and event planning while remaining a stay-at-home mom since 1996.
Their youngest, Megan, just graduated from high school and will attend the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) for acting. Johnathan is a SCAD sophomore studying sequential art, and Nick is studying film direction and production at SCAD as well. Sarah and her husband, Stephen, both graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and work in the aerospace industry in Huntsville. Kate has worked locally at the Creative Discovery Museum since graduating from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2020.
The Polickoski's enjoy traveling, RVing, camping, and visiting national parks, museums, historical sites, and quirky American attractions (very close to having camped in all 50 States!). Chattanooga has been the perfect city for participating in scouting, exploring, and enjoying the great outdoors - and others have recognized this too, with Chattanooga now being the first ever "National Park City!"
