How William Weilt's Business Acumen Helped Brevard Grow

Weilt's One Price Cash Store was located between the Aethelwold and Crary
Hotels on East Main.  This cropped photo is from a larger photograph of a
celebration in honor of soldiers returning from the Great War, July 16, 1919.

William and Sarah Weilt moved their family to Brevard from Altoona, Pennsylvania in 1901. Weilt was a merchant who dealt mainly in clothing.  His business also carried home goods and even groceries for short time.  His main store was in a two-story wood frame building across from the courthouse on East Main Street, known as Weilt’s One Price Cash Store. 

Weilt’s business model of a consistent price for all customers and only dealing in cash was novel at the time.  He believed in providing the lowest price possible to all, with no haggling.  He also only sold for cash.  At the time most merchants took trade, such as farm produce, for goods.

In partnership with J.W. McMinn and Thomas Shipman, Weilt constructed the three story Auditorium Building on West Main Street in 1911.  This building is the home of Highland Books and Mayberry’s today.  The three also collaborated in building several cottages on West Main Street. 

In 1914 Weilt opened a second clothing store in a two story brick building he had constructed on West Main directly across from the Auditorium Building.  His Gent’s Furnishing Store continued to operate in the original location across from the courthouse and was managed by his son, Walter.  Weilt managed the new Ladies’ Furnishing Store on West Main Street.

Other business ventures included a brief partnership with W.P. Williams in a furniture store located in the Fraternity Building on South Broad Street and a long-time partnership with J.W. McMinn and J.M. Allison in the Farmers Supply Company.

In addition, Weilt served as a town alderman from 1905-1907.  He was also on the Board of Directors for People’s Bank and Brevard Banking.

The Weilt family lived in this home on Oaklawn Avenue.  Located near the
intersection of Oaklawn, Carver and Morgan streets, the house was torn down
about 10 years ago.

William Weilt suffered a stroke on January 27, 1920 and died on February 7, 1920.  He is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Brevard.  The Weilt family sold all business holdings within a few months of William Weilt’s death.

The original store on East Main was torn down in 1924 and replaced by a brick building that was the long-time home to Whitey York’s A&P.  Platt Architecture is on the second floor of his West Main Street building that continued to be referred to as the Weilt Building for many years.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.