We lived for 11 years in Oakwood, doing our own “interpretive restoration” on a wonderful 1897 home. 2010 – Revelation! It’s a store! So every Christmas we drive through Historic Oakwood in downtown Raleigh near the Governor’s Mansion. Always thinking “someday we’ll retire in Southport in a little house that could be a combination shop to sell John’s photos and home for us.” I’ll just keep learning about Southport, the best locations, what lots cost and what houses – even the run down old ones – are going for.ĭec. And what is this weirdly shaped thing anyway?īack home in Raleigh I spend evenings “shopping” at. Pale blue vinyl siding on three sides and pressed metal “brick patterned” metal sheets on the front. But across the street I notice a weird little “structure.” Is this a house? Vacant and not impressive, grayish white, boarded up, a large sign across the top with hand painted “Shell Museum.” Chain link fence around it. Susan – Fall 2010 – Poor Little Property ! Well the house I looked at – but didn’t love – was sold. (This is a home across the street that we did not buy.)
It’s definitely old and somewhat updated with new windows and finished wood floors but a weird floor plan and to make it a nice place I’d be redoing what was redone. Summer 2010 – I’m interested in a little home for sale in a great location of Southport. And that strolling eventually lead to finding a little hidden historic gem. I felt a pull to all things Southport so this became the first of many, many trips to stroll the streets of Southport. Those were my thoughts when I discovered Southport, NC. And all these people sitting on the park benches at the waterfront. A waterfront that looks out on the ocean, a lighthouse and an island with ritzy homes. A downtown where old buildings now have restaurants and shops with unusual things for visitors to buy. Spring 2010 – “Omagosh this little town is SO cute! Look at those Victorian homes and shops. I need suggestions for topics, what you do and don’t want to see on this site, and even how you and others could contribute. What an accomplishment!įROM THE BEGINNING – Ok, BlogReaders – thanks for reading! Today I begin this blogsite of “adventures in historic preservation!” As I build this site for a community of those who cherish historic properties I ask for your help. Here are the blog entries of the Candy Store House. The one titled Pre Renovation Home Tour will give you the best idea of the state the property was in when the Lambeths started their remodel. Here is the link to the other videos that show the restoration process. Combined their skills created a wonderful documentary of their journey from start to finish creating what is now the Candy Store Rental Home. John works as a Photographer/Videographer for the NC Farm Bureau Federation and Susan is Marketing Director for Carolinas IT. And with the help of Oak Island Accommodation managing the short term renters, living in Raleigh has not been an issue. Talk about a great investment!Īnd since John and Susan already owned a rental property, creating another rental property was an obvious choice. Currently, Zillow estimates its worth at $282,000.
When John and Susan purchased the Candy Store House in 2011, the insurance value of the property was $1! “We bought it for $65,000 put about $60,000 plus our sweat equity of demo, painting inside and out and keen online shopping for a total of $125,000.” says Susan. Since we lived 11 years in Raleigh’s Historic Oakwood we fell in love with the historic homes in Southport.” explains Susan. Oak Island Accommodations has been managing that rental property for them, which you can view at “We finally went to Southport to see what everyone was talking about.
John and Susan live full time in Raleigh, but have been vacationing for years on Oak Island, where they own a beach vacation rental property named, BeachyPeachyKeen. John and Susan happened upon the house, while they were looking at the house across the street for sale. It was a Shell Museum before current owners, Susan and John Lambeth purchased it in 2011. Through the years, different businesses have come and gone including: George Autry’s Shoe Repair, a watch repair shop and a laundromat. Built in 1912, it was a general store that sold candy, which is where it got its name. It is one of those houses that make you wonder about its past and present. Its retro shape and soft pink hue draw you in, like a month to a flame. If you travel east on Nash street, just past the post office on the left you will see it! The Candy Store House.