Owner of W.P. Rose Supply creates 'Brick Village'
By Turner Walston
Published in News on August 25, 2005 1:47 PM
A quaint village has sprung up on Patetown Road. You can't see it from the road, but it's there.
Inside the W.P. Rose Supply building at 501 Patetown Road is The Brick Village. What was once the Americal hosiery factory has been transformed into a place for one-stop shopping.
Timmy Rhodes, owner of W.P. Rose Supply, moved his company into the building last August. He soon realized that, at 63,000 square feet, it was too big for his brick and block distribution company.
News-Argus/Mitch Loeber
Allen Carter of W.P. Rose on Patetown Road in Goldsboro poses in front of the new "line" of storefronts designed to showcase the company's bricks and to create a new type of shopping center.
Rhodes says an idea came to him at 3 a.m. Why not turn the storefronts -- displays promoting the company's products -- into actual stores?
W.P. Rose now has 20 storefronts in the warehouse.
"Everything you see is a display to sell by," Rhodes says of The Brick Village. Indeed, the storefronts are made of brick available at W.P. Rose, with doors, windows and shingles for purchase also. The "street" is lined with different brick varieties and lit by lighting fixtures like those available in the village.
Right now, The Brick Village is home to a lighting store, a cabinet shop, a coffee shop, an interior decorating business and a construction company. Ram Rent-All has leased space at the opposite end of the building from W.P. Rose.
Business owners say they appreciate the networking opportunity. The community of shops allows customers to take care of several needs at once.
Rhodes' son, Stephen, owns the Bright Ideas lighting store, a new company.
"We know it's going to be convenient for everyone," he says. "It's going to turn out good."
Pandy Hinson, manager of Coffee Date, says the location is ideal for a coffee and ice cream shop.
"I really like the whole atmosphere," she says. "It's a great area to develop. We network with all the people here, and are able to take advantage of traffic."
Lisa Teachey-Massey is the broker for Teachey Construction. Primarily specializing in residential construction, the business moved its office to The Brick Village from Pikeville.
"We love the exposure and convenience of being right at Goldsboro," she says.
Mrs. Teachey-Massey says the networking in the village allows her to send clients "just down the row" for home furnishings. In one place, they are able to pick out light fixtures, cabinets, brick or roofing materials. Teachey-Massey also gives new clients gift baskets from Coffee Date upon closing on a property.
"It'll be very convenient for our customers," she says. "I love the idea. Having the brick here is a fabulous thing."
The unique storefronts lend a Williamsburg-type feel to the village, she says.
"Everything here has a personality," Mrs. Teachey-Massey said.
"There's nothing like this in Goldsboro," said Jennifer Sexton, who operates Colorful Creations and Starlight Imports with her mother-in-law, Sherry Brun. The store specializes in ladies' accessories, scarves, jewelry and designer purses. Also available are blown glass, candles and other gift items.
"You get that soft, comfortable feeling in here. It's real laid back," Mrs. Sexton says.
The Brick Village continues to grow, Rhodes said. He is also working on a new entryway to the building to fit with the village's decor.
In the coming weeks, several new businesses will be moving in. Cabinets Unlimited already has a store in the village. Adams Products will open a commercial and architectural showroom and Herring Heating and Air Conditioning will soon open an office. Do You Love It? Hair and Tanning Salon is scheduled to open in a few months.
Rhodes said he is in negotiations with several more businesses to move in over the next few weeks.