Carthage Gazette April

Carthage Gazette April Edition Page 3
McReynolds Street From Front Page
with Alexander Kelly. In 1859, W.
T. Jones became a partner, and in
1873 Tyson and Jones bought out
Alexander’s interest in the company.
In 1893, Thomas B. Tyson suffered a
heart attack while walking across the
street from his home to his store. He
died the next day and all businesses
of Carthage shut their doors from
that day of his death to the day of
his funeral. The elder Tyson left his
stock in the Buggy company to his
namesake and grandson, Thomas
B. Tyson II, bypassing his son Lucien.
retired history teacher, Becky Saunders,
“It is believed that Mr. Tyson
went up there and watched the stars
through his mounted telescope.
There are even claims that many town
residents witnessed Haley’s Comet
from that vantage point in the Spring
of 1910.” One can only imagine the
excitement and fervor as townspeople
gathered on the lawn of such a
majestic home nestled in the heart of
Carthage’s thriving business district.
Housed now in that storefront are
shops that respectfully honor Carthage’s
vivid business brilliance.
The shop owners have brought their
own mercantile fl are to that area for
reasons simply stated they wanted
to remain in Carthage and give
back to a town they know and love.
In 1906, 2 wives (his fi rst wife
passed) and six children later, Thomas
B. Tyson II built his homestead on
McReynolds Street. A magnifi cent
two-story, white-pressed brick, colonial
type house situated beside the
old home of his Grandfather. With
the Tyson and Buggy mural in clear
view from the front, the expansive
mansion is now tucked behind the
storefront of the old Carthage Furniture
Company on McReynolds Street.
At the time, the Tyson mansion,
with 20 rooms in all, was hailed
to be the most ornate and palatial
home between Raleigh and Fayetteville.
The house was framed
by stately deodar cedars with a
curbed, meticulously landscaped
walkway that extended from the
square the entire block to Ray Street.
Thomas B. Tyson II died at his home in
1924. His widow remarried, and the
children scattered to seek employment
and ventures elsewhere. The
magnifi cent home stood vacant until
fi nally acquired by Charles T. Sinclair
in 1938 who later added the store
front home to his Carthage Furniture.
The front porch of the old Tyson home
graciously welcomes you as you walk
through the now storefront’s main
door and down the corridor. The original
fl ooring of black and white strikes
a regal entrance against the backdrop
of its many large, white columns reaching
to the second fl oor and the roof.
The home is spanned by deep
porches on all sides and on
the very top and center of the
roof is a railed-in observatory.
According to Carthage resident and
Visiting the shop, make certain to
notice the quaint seating area in the
back of the corridor as well as the
way Ms. Miller elegantly blends her
modern and contemporary home
pieces to fi t with the historical architecture
of the Tyson mansion.
Denise Bennett, owner of Practical
Posh since 2015, returned to Carthage
after years of traveling with
her husband and family. She knew
she wanted to settle here, being a
5 generation Carthage family. At
the age of 13, Denise’s mother had
her collecting depression era glass.
“I was bitten by the collectors’ bug
early,” she states. Antiques and collectibles,
skillfully and artistically
staged by Ms. Bennett’s expert eye,
line the walls and fl oors of her shop.
Browsing her store, one is fondly
returned to America’s past, before
the days of reproductions and
copy- cat goods. History is revered
– a passionate ideal for Ms. Bennett.
Emily Miller, owner of Home Girls,
worked in the upstairs portion of the
old Tyson home until circumstances
changed. “I wanted to remain in
the building,” Ms. Miller states. “It
hurt to see the rooms neglected.”
She wanted to remain surrounded
by history that her own family,
(her maiden name is Tyson) was
most likely somehow connected.
Ms. Miller decidedly followed her
passion for decorating and her
desire to bring “something different”
to Carthage. Home Girls
opened their doors last May on
the day of the Buggy Festival.
Just down the storefront sidewalk
is Lisa’s Boutique. Walking into the
shop is akin to strolling amongst the
gardens of the old Tyson lawn. Lisa
Pidella, owner and decorator, frames
her shop with greenery and fl owers
that welcomes shoppers to stay
awhile. Settle in. Try on the unique
and trendy clothing hand selected by
Ms. Pidella. “I help my customers
out with fashion issues that most
women struggle with. Maximizing
their closet with what they already
have,” says Ms. Pidella. Choose
your outfi t selections from the boutique
(or bring in a piece from home
you want to match.) Then trust the
pulling it all together to the creative
and fashion genius of Ms. Pidella.
After shopping at these three boutiques,
it’s time to eat. As you step
outside you will smell the aroma of
the restaurant next door. Enjoy authentic
Asian cuisine at Susas Hibachi
Grill. Owner Ding Sengkheu
Pong, prides herself in Asian plates,
Chinese noodles, Tempura, fresh Sushi
Bar and wonderful deserts all at
affordable prices for lunch or dinner.
North Carolina is a state abundant in
tradition, loyalty and legacy. Carthage
is no different. It is a town intent on
preserving its roots while at the same
time growing and welcoming new
ideas in business like Susas Hibachi
Grill to an eclectic array of shops
around the circle. The annual buggy
festival is right around the corner.
But don’t wait until then to come out
and explore all that Carthage has to
offer!
By: Kathy Mason