2024 is over. 2025. It’s here. We are now a full quarter of our way into the 20th century.
Time passes. And with it, we note the passing of two individuals who had major impacts on this community. Both were visionaries who believed in the power of education, one a local boy, the other a transplant. Both were a part of the business for which this region has become famous: furniture.
Back in February, Leroy Lail died after a lifetime of strategic contributions to the retail end of furniture. He grew up along Springs Road. In twelve years of school, Leroy never missed a day, even after accidentally being struck by a car. He went on to UNC-CH and served in the U.S. Navy, at one point caught up in the Cuban Missile Crisis. With his wife Lynn, Leroy returned to Catawba County to build Hickory Furniture Mart from a 6,000 square-foot space in the basement of Mull’s Restaurant, into an 800,000 square-foot complex.
When the semi-annual furniture market left Hickory some 40 years ago, it looked like Leroy might be left with a gigantically empty building. Instead, he reoriented the showrooms to serve as a manufacturers outlet, catering to the public, creating Hickory’s greatest economic attraction. Hickory Furniture Mart opened its doors year round, welcoming shoppers from all over the world. Some came by the planeload after reading books and watching TV shows revealing the inside secrets of where to get the best deals in furniture.
Along the way, Leroy supported the needs of his community in many ways. Perhaps, he was best known as a booster of education, serving as a member of Lenoir-Rhyne’s Board of Trustees before his selection to the UNC Board of Governors.
Education also proved pivotal to the career of Bill Karslake, who passed away in December. Originally from Illinois, fate brought him to Hickory, where after meeting and marrying his wife Martha, Bill took a job at Hickory Chair as northeastern sales rep in Boston. A graduate of Rollins College and member of the school’s rowing team for four years, he was stationed in Tokyo as part of his time in the U.S. Army, before arriving in Hickory.
While motoring around to see clients throughout New England, Bill stopped at numerous museums and became fascinated by the craftsmanship of 18th century furniture. He educated himself on the intricacies of pieces made in the pre-industrial era. Returning to Hickory in 1973, Bill Karslake started Southwood Reproductions, replicating the styles he had studied. Having worked for Hickory Chair for a decade, he knew the talent level of woodworkers in Hickory and believed in their skill to exquisitely craft, just as 18th century masters had once done.
Both men were generous with their talent and time, willing even to discuss their experiences for the book, ‘Well-Crafted: The History of Furniture Manufacturing in Western North Carolina”, published by Redhawk Publications.
2024 saw both men make their final exits and we are sad to see them go. We honor their passing with great appreciation for their work, demonstrating what possibilities come with that magical combination of dreams, ingenuity and a little book-learning.
Photo: A Southwood Reproductions chair, and the Hickory Furniture Mart.
