| In the 1890's, Mr. Barron (spelled with two "r's") built the Baron York building for his cousin, Mr. York. The upstairs was Mr. York's office. He put in the first telephone in the area so that he could call his wife and tell her when he was coming home for lunch. The York home is the second white house on the right as you leave town on North 197. Other people thought his gadget was quite handy and tied into his line. Before you know it, Mr. York started the Standard Telephone Company, which later became Alltel. In the 1960's, Mr. Freeland bought the building and made the upstairs an apartment, the first dwelling on the square. He covered the heartpine floor with plywood and carpet and put in the kitchen appliances that are still in use today. (Check out the "retro" oven!) The Baron York building was listed on the historic register but was misspelled with one "r." When Jerry and Monika Schulte bought the building in August 2003 with a vision for an international cafe', they made the choice to stay with the misspelling and name the establishment, The Baron York Cafe'. After three months of many hours of renovation, including exposing and restoring the original wooden flooring, they began a search for someone interested in leasing the space and business. They were unaware that for six months Dea Irby had prayerfully searched downtown Clarkesville for a location for a tea room. Her search ended (she thought her dream ended as well) in August 2003 when God put the brakes on HER endeavor....... She buried her vision but God resurrected it to an even better situation. A realtor with whom Dea had spoken was also a friend of the Schultes and got them together in mid-October 2003. During her six-month search, Dea developed a business plan that included at least five "essentials" for her tea room (besides great food and service).The first was that it was on the square; second, that it would have a book case with interesting books; third, that it would have a guest book; and fourth, that it would have a nice restroom. All of these were accomplished by the Schultes before Dea came on the scene. Now, the fifth "essential" takes special note. In her research, she had found a local merchant that had wonderful music playing in her store. Dea noted that when she opened her tea room, she would find out what CDs the merchant was using. When this merchant closed her business in early fall, the Schultes bought her sound system, CDs and all. That very music is part of the music heard while dining at the cafe'. God answered Dea's prayers about a tea room exceedingly and abundantly above what she had asked or thought. So, on November 15, 2003, the doors opened for the Baron York Cafe, Dea Irby, proprietor. In August '06, the cafe expanded to include the whole upstairs of the Baron York building. |
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| The Story of the Baron York Cafe' |