Circle of Knowledge (From Old Blog)

Where was the one place in town where folks could enjoy the warmth that came from both a wood stove and friendly conversation? Perhaps a person could learn a thing or two here about life… and what other people were up to.

The coal burning pot-bellied stove used to heat Williams Hardware will be the working centerpiece of the Café. We want to recreate the atmosphere that Raymond Williams did when he invited working men to warm up by the stove before starting, or returning to, their workdays. It was here that news, gossip and tall tales were shared throughout the day. We expect the same to be true today—even though we won’t be burning coal in the stove’s grate, we can still knock the chill off a cool morning and catch you up on the happenings around town. “The Circle of Knowledge”, as we have begun to call it, captures the idea of this oral tradition, both literally and figuratively, around the pot-bellied stove.

In the winter of 1970, the Greenville news featured the popular visiting spot …and its host, Raymond Williams. 

As mentioned in A History of Travelers Rest by Mrs. Mildred W. Goodlett, Mr. W.R. (Dick) Williams opened a hardware store in the town in 1933. His son, W. Raymond Williams, Jr., graduated from Clemson and joined his father in the business. In 1946, Raymond built the current store at 13 S. Main Street, along with a lumberyard and planing mill. Raymond’s son, W. R. (Dick) Williams, III, established his surveying office adjacent to the hardware store. He will always have a special place in the Circle of Knowledge.

Dick Williams and Nancy outside of his office.