About Us

Carol & Eleanor
In 2003, Carol was running the Candlelight Cottage, a quaint little gift shop in Blythewood, SC, when she discovered the empty Thomas Company building and fell in love. Beginning that very day, she began dreaming and scheming of a tea room, coffee shop and gift shop in the picturesque town of Ridgeway. Carol shared her dream with her friend, Doris Bruce, who jumped right on board as Carol’s right-hand. The dream came true in the spring of 2008 and what an adventure it has been!

Carol and her mother, Eleanor, (known as Grama to those who know and love her) have been collecting tea pots, cups and pretty dishes for years. So, opening a tea room was inevitable. And, being crafters for over 20 years, they are thrilled to fill their store with very special handcrafted gifts by fellow crafters.

Carol’s husband, Kelly, wears many hats and works behind the scenes as weekend handyman, voice of reason, taste tester and whatever else Grama and Carol can think of for him to do around the store and tea room.

Carol and Grama bring their own style of southern hospitality and warmth to The Thomas Company and Laura’s Tea Room. You’ll feel like an old friend in no time at all!

The Building
Begun as the I.C. Thomas Company by Isaac Thomas in 1885, the store sold general merchandise of every description. The present brick store was erected in 1911 and is still owned by a fourth generation member of the Thomas Family.

Today it houses The Thomas Company and Laura’s Tea Room. The tea room is named for Mrs. Laura Thomas, the last Thomas to run the store and mayor of Ridgeway for many years. We feel she would have loved to have tea here.

The building was renovated in 2007 by Oswald Construction of Winnsboro. Much of the original beauty of the fine building has been restored. The cheese wheel and cash register from the original store are on loan to us by the Thomas Family.

On the 100th anniversary of the business, Laura Thomas said, “We hope the store may continue to serve the community in whatever way it can. Rural stores sometimes have to change to keep up with progress and community growth.” We think Laura would approve of what we are doing.

Please stop by soon, come back often and bring friends to our wonderful historic town. We look forward to visiting with you!