This
week’s Picturing the Past photograph features Reid Furniture Company and was
taken in 1959. The building where Reid’s was located at the time looks
different today.  The best clues in the
photo are actually small parts of the buildings on either side.  Can you identify where it was located?

Theodore
Reid and W.M. Melton formed Reid-Melton Furniture Company in late 1944.  They held their formal opening on Saturday,
February 17, 1945.  They carried living
room, dining room and bedroom suites, tables, chairs, rugs and appliances.  Products could be purchased on credit with
weekly or monthly payment plans.  Mr.
Reid, who had worked in the furniture business for many years, managed the
store located at 21 East Main St.

The Reid Furniture Company truck in front of the business at 123 W. Main St.

The
business quickly outgrew the small store and in 1947 relocated to the Mull
Building on the corner of S. Broad and Jordan streets.  Two-and-a-half years later they again moved
to a larger store.  It was shortly after
this move that Reid purchased Melton’s share of the business and changed the
name to Reid Furniture Company.

In December 1960 Reid announced, “With
my lease expiring in January, I have decided to close my furniture store at
that time.  Between now and then, I am
offering the citizens of Brevard and Transylvania County bargains in furniture
that are unheard of.  It has been a real
pleasure serving at Reid Furniture Company since 1944, and I cordially invite
one and all to come by and see our hundreds of close-out bargains.”

Reid
opened an office on Caldwell St. where people could make payments on their
accounts.  He continued the business in
some fashion until retiring in 1965.

Photographs
and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina
Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library
hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional
photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at [email protected]
or 828-884-1820.