Museum Mondays: The Second Bank of Varina

by amanda | Aug 26, 2019 | News & Events

Join us in honoring Downtown’s history and explore the past with our new series Museum Mondays!

Thank you to our friends at the Fuquay-Varina Museums for the historical image and information.

Second Bank of Varina
Circa 1925

In 1925 the second Bank of Varina was constructed by A. Y. Hairr. It is a two-story yellow brick building located at the corner of Broad Street. Ransdell Road. J. Herbert Akins was President and Chairman of the Board from 1947 until his death in 1965. Herbert’s son-in-law D. Watson Adcock joined the firm in 1962 and his son Sherrill served briefly as Chairman of the Board.

The Bank of Varina merged with Southern National on May 27, 1969 but remained in the same location until moving to Main Street in 1972. Upstairs in this building were offices and a room where the Varina Woman’s Club first met.

Tsuru Sweets & Coffee
Circa August 2019

What’s there Today Tsuru is a gourmet confectionery that takes pride in crafting unique, indulgent treats using only the highest-quality cacao and ingredients from around the world. They take the power of beautiful confection seriously, using sweets as a means of empowering, inspiring and respecting the world around them. Tsuru honors the building’s history with photographs and showcasing the bank’s vault!

Behind the Name Tsuru means “cacao” in Bribri, a Costa Rican indigenous group known for its cultivation of the unique plant. In their mythology, there were once three sisters that caught the attention of the gods. Among them was Sibu, the creator of all things and most powerful. He claimed them as his own. Two of the sisters were blessed with unearthly beauty, while the third possessed a beautiful, bright and humble spirit. Her name was Tsuru and she loved all things great and small. Sibu tested the sisters taking an ugly human form. He approached the women, only to be rejected by the two beautiful sisters because of his appearance. Tsuru saw his inner beauty and accepted him. Sibu took Tsuru as his wife, turning her into the most beautiful of the three sisters and filling her life with riches and beauty.

Museum Mondays: Mitchell Chevrolet

by amanda | Aug 19, 2019 | News & Events

Join us in honoring Downtown’s history and explore the past with our new series Museum Mondays!

Mitchell Chevrolet
Circa 1948

Mitchell Chevrolet, founded in 1934 by J.M. Mitchell, moved to this new location in 1946, featuring a modern showroom and garage. Sons Buford and Wallace Mitchell continued to operate the family business until it was sold in 1993. Mitchell Chevrolet employees sit for a group photo in the picture above. Joseph ‘Mac’ Mitchell’s sons Buford and Wallace worked here for their father as boys and later after returning from the Korean Conflict. They recall some of the subjects of this photo to be (L to R), (unknown), Joseph ‘Mac’ Mitchell, Ethelene Stewart, Ray Hare, Paul Smith, Robert Tingen, Robert and Ray Steed and ‘Red’ Everette Smith. No doubt, mainstays Romy Burt Sr. and Clay Wilson are two of the subjects in this photo.

(Photo provided courtesy of the Mitchell Family: Buford Mitchell, Wallace Mitchell and Portia Newman)

Revelry Barber & Shave Shop
August 2019

Revelry Barber & Shave Shop’s customers line up outside for a haircut in the same fashion Mitchell Chevrolet employees did in the photograph above! Revelry, Original Strength Institute, Greater Than, and Jebb Graff occupy the building today. Some of the Mitchell Building’s history is showcased in the side entrance. We invite you to explore this building’s history and visit these businesses Downtown! Head to the Fuquay-Varina Museums to learn more about the history of Downtown!