107 East Parrish Street, 07.24.08
The north side of the 100 block of East Parrish St. was the site of the Second Parrish warehouse, which was torn down sometime around 1910.
Looking northeast from the corner of Parrish St. and N. Mangum St., 1890s
Soon thereafter, the building that would later house Rogers' Drugstore and and 107 East Parrish were built on the site. It appears likely that portions of the Parrish Warehouse may have been integrated into these buildings. No business listing appears at 107-109 in 1915, but by 1919, still-extant (as of 2011) Public Hardware is located at 107-109. By 1923, Public Hardware had moved one building to the east (111-113 E. Parrish) and Leroy D. Rogers' Furniture Store was located in 107-109, (he's listed as "Leroyal" in 1932) where it remained until the late 1930s.
107 East Parrish, the second building facade from the left (next to the corner building,) 1924.
(Courtesy Duke Archives)
In 1941, The Duke Sport Shop - which would be a longstanding billiards place downtown - was located at 107-109
In 1948, the city directory is badly faded - but it appears107 East Parrish housed Son? Designing and Decorating, and 109 the Cupboard Cafeteria
02.10.48
By 1952, Cupboard Cafeteria had taken over the whole ground level. It remained in business through the mid-1950s, closing in 1959
Like many buildings during the 1950s-1960s, this one had its windows filled in, as you can see in the below picture from 1977.
Looking west-northwest, 1977.
(Courtesy Durham County Library)
However, soon thereafter, this building was renovated.
Looking northeast, 1978.
(Courtesy Durham County Library)
Most recently, it has been purchased by Greenfire, and is part of their "historic triangle" renovation of this building, Fire Station no. 1, and the Rogers' Drugstore. (Though I'm not sure why they are referring to this particular set of buildings as historic - versus the other buildings?).
Several years ago, the old advertisements on the side of this building were restored - I like them, sort of, although I'm embarassed to say that they make me think of Southpoint.
Looking northwest, 2007.
07.24.08
As of mid-2011, the first floor is being used as a restaurant - Bull City Burger.
09.10.11
Comments
Submitted by Michael Bacon (not verified) on Thu, 7/26/2007 - 5:11pm
If there's one thing that makes me happy about these pictures, it's the Public Hardware sign. I'm happy the sign is still around, and hanging at their current location on Mangum.
If you love old hardware stores, that's a business worth stopping into. I don't know what their business is like these days, but I'm really hoping they survive another year or two, when the Mangum condo projects start to go in, when they'll hopefully see an upturn in business.
Submitted by Gary (not verified) on Thu, 7/26/2007 - 5:28pm
Agreed Michael - they are an odd place, in a world with too few odd places left to do business. I don't really know how they hang on, since I rarely see other people in there other than employees, but I value their uniqueness, even if it isn't the place to go if you need the missing valve for your toilet ASAP.
GK
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 7/27/2007 - 11:35am
RE: Painted advertising. The original ads were repainted as Southpoint was being built. After one of the shopping center's developers saw a Herald-Sun story about the repainting, he decided to paint faux ads on his buildings. Another case of history inspiring the new.
Mike Woodard
Submitted by Gary (not verified) on Sat, 7/28/2007 - 8:44am
Thanks Mike. I remembered that there was some connection there, but didn't remember what it was.
I think I recognize now what I find a bit off-putting about these (other than an unfortunate association with Southpoint.) Faux-fading. I think the trying-to-make-them-still-look-old fading doesn't really work for me. So I like the ads (especially that they were actually there, unlike SP) but I think it reminds me of the fake faded-ness at Southpoint, which is really off-putting there.
GK
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 7/28/2007 - 5:46pm
Although your thoughts about Southpoint are on the downward side of things, I do think that Soutpoint is one of the nicest shopping centers in the country and wish more centers in Durham emulated the look and quality of design there (so many, if not most here, just simply look trashy). I think the designers at Southpoint really did a great job with exception to automobile vs. human traffic flow (in and around) and the parking layout. The owner leaves much to be desired regarding his management style too. However, I must disagree with you re: Southpoint. Surely they have done a much better job than those who attempted to redevelop and change the landscape of downtown.
Submitted by Andrew (not verified) on Tue, 11/6/2007 - 2:31am
This past Saturday (3 November 2007) Joe Lemanski of Greenfire offered a tour of the Rogers Alley buildings. While on the second floor of the old Rogers Drugstore, Joe pointed out a painted wall ad that had been partially revealed during the renovation. They are hoping to expose more of it and retain it after this second floor is converted to office space.
The exposed wall is actually the western wall of the 107 E Parrish structure, and I could clearly make out the words "PARRISH WAREHOUSE". The next line is tantalizingly obscured: "CARR ... ... ... PROPS." I thought it might say "CARR'S" something or other, but in retrospect it probably read "CARRIAGES" and I don't know what else.
Very cool!
--ASE.
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