For most of its history, this was a general/department store and has been in the same family since its construction.
Clarkesville Downtown Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This marble-front commercial block is one of the nicest historic retail buildings remaining in downtown Cordele. Its condition is probably not good, but hopefully, it can be saved. Watt and Holmes was one of the most successful businesses in early-20th-century Cordele. It was last home to an Allied Department Store.
Cordele Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
The Gallant-Belk department store was located on the first floor of this building and the Hartwell Garment Company, a sewing factory, operated upstairs. It’s an antique store today.
Hartwell Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
The structure to the right in the view above is Bailes Cobb, a popular locally-owned independent department store that’s been in business since 1929! Below (right) is The Art Center, a gallery and event space operated by the Hart Regional Arts Council.
Hartwell Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
The old Clermont Hotel has been renovated and is operated as a bed and breakfast inn and event venue by Phyllis Henson and Robin Collinson. They note that it also served as a department store and the Clermont post office at one time.
Many of the historic storefronts in downtown Commerce have been nicely restored. It’s a busy area.
Most of these structures houses businesses typical of small towns, from department and grocery stores to lawyer’s and doctor’s offices.
Commerce Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Montezuma Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Smith’s Department Store was Abbeville’s retail headquarters for many years.
Belk department stores were often a feature of smaller and mid-sized Georgia towns during much of the 20th century. The Belk-Gallant stores were mostly located in Northeast Georgia.
Washington Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This is better known as the Gallant-Belk Building, as it was home to that department store for many years. The building on the left is the Arnold Building.
Elberton Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places