A short stroll from Summerville's Hutchinson Square, nestled on the corner of East Doty Ave and South Magnolia Street, sits a cottage style house dating back to the town's Golden Era when inns reigned supreme and the railroad was sovereign.Believed to have been built in 1875, the little residential cottage has been home to many businesses through its obscure history. It is on the National Historic Registry and according to recent real estate descriptions, it was moved to its present location from a neighboring property. When it was moved and from where is not clear.
The oldest Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Summerville of this area on record dating March 1912, shows a matching profile of the little cottage with a location closer to Railroad Avenue next to the Summerville Ice Light and Power Company, also called Crystal Ice House (Railroad Avenue was the name of the street before it became Doty Avenue after 1965). There is one differing feature in its profile--an extension off the back of the house, maybe a kitchen house, but this is only a guess. The move mentioned in the real estate records is possibly not from a neighboring property, but rather a removal of the extension and a repositioning of the house farther back on the property--today's location. In 1912, it was owned by someone with the last name of Lang. A Sanborn map dating 1928, showed no changes, so the move had to take place sometime later. As to neighboring properties, the Crystal Ice House was built in 1901 and the Water Department was built between the years 1923 and 1928, years after the 1875 dating of the little cottage.
The Summerville Chamber of Commerce setup operations there during the 1990's. An employee of the Chamber fondly reminisced sitting at her desk near the entrance door and recalled when a train would pass through, everything would rattle and the door would shake open.
Many of the homes in this area were used as boarding houses during the heyday of the railroad. It has been rumored the little cottage served as a brothel for military personnel during the two World Wars and many other gentlemen travelers passing in and out town. Its quiet location across from the railroad tracks near where the railroad station used to stand would have made it expedient for such activity. While this revelation could garner notoriety in of itself with history buffs, this dubious footnote in its narrative is not its claim to fame.
The old house was made famous by local author, Bruce Orr, in his book entitled "Haunted Summerville," which was released in 2011. A retired Summerville criminal investigator turned paranormal historian, Bruce has made various appearances in The Flower Town since the book's release, including a signing at the East Doty location and address of the then This Whole House Tea Room, Antiques and Gift Shop. After spending time interviewing the owner, Judy Thomas, and enjoying a spot of tea, Bruce stated, "I can understand why Mary Helen chose to stick around instead of moving on to the other side." He titled his story "The Ghost Who Stayed For Tea." It has been hypothesized Mary Helen perhaps was the proprietor of her own business of the entertaining sort at the location. Of course, all evidence is circumstantial and a person will use their own discretion as to what they choose to believe.
A popular Summerville venue that served a winning sweet tea, This Whole House Tea Room, Antiques and Gift Shop has since closed. The sprucely landscaped property has since been taken over by Richmond, Virginia transplants, Kathy and David Schuler. Two people with a mission in mind and a sensitivity for community, their search for the right town to carry out their plan ultimately brought them to Summerville. With an impassioned smile, Kathy related the fateful story. "Two jet trails formed an X in the sky directly above the little cottage," she said. With firm conviction, she continued, "It was a sign. X marked the spot."
Kathy and David named their new found business The Little Cottage Community Cafe. Their mission statement is outlined on their Facebook page and is as follows: "Our goal is to create an exceptional dining experience, in a comfortable, cozy, and inclusive environment. We recognize the need for health and well-being, as well as the need for human connection within our communities and TLC is dedicated to opening doors for the betterment of all community members. The Little Cottage (TLC) Community Cafe is a community-based social enterprise focused on offering educational, recreational, and social activities for individuals with additional needs, as well as healthy and delicious meals to members of our community."
The Little Cottage's location is marked by an old door fashioned into a sign hanging by chains between posts painted Charleston green with a lantern style light above it. The fully remodeled cottage utilized 98% of re-purposed materials. The two main counters outfitted with hinged tops, skillfully constructed by David with recovered sanded and polyurethaned planking from the house, can be raised into large tables for small groups to gather around for community projects. The upstairs loft has been fashioned into a larger version of the Little Free Library where you can take a book or leave a book. On the porch, a community pantry called the Blessing Box is displayed for anyone who wishes to share their kitchen surplus with other local residents who may have a need. At present, paintings from local artists are on exhibition throughout and there are plans to carry this through month after month.
The environment is welcoming and hospitable. The atmosphere is cozy and bright. There is plenty of seating throughout as well as outside on the cottage's wrap around porch. Specializing in lunch offerings prepared by in-house chef, Saraileigh Watson, TLC's menu is viewable at the entrance door consisting of starters, salads, and sandwiches ranging between $7.95 and $9.95 with names reminiscent of Summerville locations like the Square, The Doty Park, The Flowertown, Little Main and so on. A Kid's Menu is included. All offerings are prepared with locally sourced products from places like Juju's Gourmet, Rina's Kitchen, and Saffron Bakery.
The Little Cottage Community Cafe is a welcomed addition to the growing list of quaint cafes in Summerville. Plan a visit to this big hearted little cottage serving tender loving care. It is like sitting down and breaking bread with family and friends. Try the House Specialty Dessert--Dark Chocolate Pot au Cre'me, it is hauntingly decadent. A word to the wise, make sure you have an extra cup added to your table setting just in case you have an unexpected guest. When I asked Kathy about the story of the property's resident ghost, I would have to say, I got the impression she is not a disbeliever.
106 East Doty Avenue
Summerville, SC
843-261-1277
Tuesday - Friday 11 am - 3 pm
Saturday - 10 am - 3 pm