Soiree in Mooresville, Iredell County, United States | Restaurant

Welcome to Soiree Restaurant, Mooresville, United States. The War Between the States had ended, and the Piedmont area of North Carolina was struggling. At the time, cotton was king, and getting the cotton to market was the problem. Mr. John Franklin Moore offered land for a train depot, and the short run of the Atlantic, Tennessee & Ohio Railroad sprouted from Charlotte to Statesville. A. The bar area was used as the men’s department, and the area over the main dining room was used as the women’s and children’s department. A millinery department was located at the rear of the women’s department; where only the finest and latest ladies’ hat styles were crafted. The section now occupied as the banquet room served as the merchandise unpacking and pricing area. The present day kitchen housed feed and seed, and the mezzanine was used to display rugs and provide storage. The large octagon floor area featured an opening called a well. This allowed light and heat to penetrate the upper floor while providing better circulation during hot summer months.

The original building in Mooresville contained a rope elevator furnished by the J.B. Westbrook Company of Danville, Virginia. In 1907, this was replaced with an electric elevator built by the Park Elevator Company of Charlotte. Both elevators are available for viewing on the 2nd floor of Soiree Restaurant. A 21st century environmentally friendly elevator was installed in 2005. There are three centuries of elevators within 30 feet!

The founder of the Rankin Store died in 1906, and the store was reorganized as W.W. Rankin Company, which stayed in operation until the 1950s. The building then became Morrow Brothers Furniture Company until around 1980. Today, this wonderful historic building is home to Soiree Restaurant… a casual upscale dining experience. The combination of exquisite food, along with the ambiance and history of the surroundings, will create many memorable occasions for you and your family and friends.