The city of Hendersonville is known as The City of Four Seasons. The building located on Main Street that is now home to the Mast General Store was constructed during a tremendous growth spurt for the city. Up until the late 1890s, most of the structures along Main Street were frame structures, private homes, and even vacant lots. The Syndicate Building was constructed in the early 1900s, ca. 1909, and has been home to a number of different businesses.

Maxwell Brown's Fancy Grocery was its first tenant. From looking at old photographs, Mr. Brown was meticulous in his merchandising. All shelves were perfectly stocked with cans and other goods. At that point in time, customers would bring a list to the counter to be filled by the clerk.

Later tenants included Freeze Drug, Potts 5¢ and 10¢, a ladies' dress shop, and First Citizen's Bank. Inside you can still see the original tin ceiling that was long hidden by the drop ceiling panels and parts of the wood floor.

In the 1920s, the Woodmen of the World held their meetings upstairs. The WOW was a fraternal order that provided, and still provides, life insurance to those in their order.

We're sure you've heard of the infamous Turkey Drop performed on the 80s TV show WKRP in Cincinnati. Well, a turkey drop was hosted by this store in the early part of the 20th century.

The Mast Store opened its doors in Hendersonville in 1995.

*Photo: Maxwell's Fancy Grocery in Downtown Hendersonville circa 1910, in the Syndicate Building. From the Barber Collection.