Ratcliffe On The Green

A Historical Overview

Perhaps the most charming and out-of-the-ordinary small business in the commercial center of Charlotte was that occupied by Ratcliffe Flowers on South Tryon Street. For over seventy-five years, it has stood in great contrast to its more institutional neighbors. When Louis G. Ratcliffe (1893-1961) started his floral business next to the Latta Arcade in the 300 block of S. Tryon in 1917, the area was still a mixture of small businesses, residences and some vacant properties.

By the end of the decade, Ratcliffe decided the time was right for new quarters to house the successful business, and so he hired William H. Peeps, a local architect, to draw up the plans. Perhaps Peeps was chosen for the job because he had also done the Latta Arcade, Ratcliffe's business neighbor for twelve years.

Peeps was responsible for numerous landmark structures in the city and in other areas of the state. Beside Ratcliffe Flowers, he designed a number of important commercial buildings in the city, including Ivey's Department Store, Eckerd's Drugs, the Latta and Court Arcades, and the Hovis Mortuary (now Queen City TV) on North Tryon. Of equal significance are the many fine large residences Peeps designed for a number of the city's wealthy citizens, including that of J. B. Ivey, John Bass Brown, George W. Graham, Jr. and others.

In the permit it was estimated that the new store would cost $16,000. At the time Ratcliffe Flowers was built, Charlotte was experiencing an unprecedented building boom which reflected the prosperity of the time. It was as part of this general prosperity that the new Ratcliffe Flowers shop came on the scene late in 1929.

Unfortunately for many in the community, the boom times ended soon thereafter, and a ten-year depression followed. Ratcliffe Flowers, however, steadfastly weathered the storm in its charming, Peeps-designed two-story store. Over the years the business expanded into a wholesale division and a greenhouse operation in addition to the city center retail outlet. Thus through all the changes in uptown Charlotte over the last seventy-five years, this delightfully unusual retail store, which reflected both the tastefulness appropriate for a floral shop and a confidence in its longevity, has graced South Tryon Street through the best and worst of times, and will no doubt continue to do so for a long time.

Although the store now operates as Ratcliffe On The Green, it is our intention to hold true to the integrity of this building and the family who occupied it for so many years. We hope that you enjoy your visit to this historic location, as much as we have enjoyed serving you here.