BY NICOLE LAYTON
Making old things new is something Down East Preservation has been doing since 2015.
On March 6, the small business continued that tradition by hosting the grand opening of its new executive offices, shop and design studio at 307 S. Broad St., Edenton.
Hundreds of people came in and out of the building erected in 1890 during the grand opening and ribbon-cutting.
While the building contains offices, the highlight is the front showroom, which features locally made tables, home decor items, historic blueprints, books and more. Some items are available for purchase by the public during business hours.
Tribute to local history and creativity
Dawson Tyler and Burton Swain lead Down East Preservation, which has grown from two to three employees in 2015 working out of a garage to about 32 to 35 employees and three locations today.
During an interview with the Albemarle Observer, Tyler noted that the downtown location is the home of the executive offices, design studio, and a shop that offers home decor items made in northeastern North Carolina. Some of the items are made by Down East Woodworks, which creates replicas of historic items and original, one-of-a-kind pieces.
“We wanted to touch the tourist market,” Tyler said. “People can buy things in our shop that are made right here in northeastern North Carolina.”
Besides the unique furniture made by Down East Woodworks, the shop offers a taste of something in which you’ll always find a new way to use ordinary items.
Besides epoxy-pour tables and framed native crops, such as peanuts, the store features unique items built into the design, such as a stair banister hanging from the ceiling. Near the interior design space, a table made by Down East Woodworks sits under a light fixture made with an old, weathered glass door framed by other windows and sidelights.
People gather at the grand opening. (photo by Nicole Bowman-Layton 
Some of the items for sale at the Down East Preservation office. 
A table made by Down East Woodworks holds a floral arrangement by Sawyer Designs as others talk during the grand opening. 
A bannister sits on the ceiling. 
People mingle at Down East Preservation’s grand opening. 
A table from Down East Woodworks sits on display. It and the items on the table are for sale. 
People gather at the Down East Preservation Office. 
An example of an epoxy-pour table sits near an office. 
Chowan County Commission Larry McLaughlin talks to someone during the grand opening 
Peanuts and other items are framed as art. 
A unique light fixture made out of a door and windows hangs above a table. 
An antique with ornate legs sits near the offices.
Lighting fixtures include a chandelier covered in oysters and ones made of driftwood. In the front window is a fixture made with large, colorful glass bottles that were cut so lightbulbs could be changed.
Old mantles line one wall as if they help hold up the tin ceiling. Old doors cover a support pillar in the center of the space, adding texture to something other companies would probably just leave as a bland pillar.
During the grand opening, Edenton Mayor Hackney High said he wasn’t sure which part of the building he liked the best.
“I cannot decide which I like more the exterior or interior, so I’m just gonna call it a tie,” he said. “You guys have transformed this space and the, the way it looks and the way you have reimagined it. It is just reflective of the creative vision that you two have and all of your team have, and we really appreciate everything that you do.”
High noted how he’s kept an eye on the company’s evolution over the years.
“It started out with two or three employees doing small renovation jobs here in the Historic district. From there, we began to see whole house renovations that really changed Edenton neighborhoods, one house at a time,” High said.
The work eventually started to include new developments, such as Jackson Dairy and restoration work on big projects, such as Hayes Plantation and Kadesh A.M.E. Zion Church.
“This is an example of what happens when people who are creative and work hard invest in our town,” High said.
He noted that the town loves small businesses, as they drive Edenton’s economy. Those small businesses couldn’t operate without the community’s support.
“So I encourage you to continue to shop local because when you do so, you not only help our town, but you support our neighbors and friends like this crowd here,” High said. “So in closing, I always like to say that Edenton is a great place to live, work, and play. And the people that are here and the Down East people play a large part in that 2025 is gonna be a great, great year in Edenton. And I cannot wait to see what the future holds, not only for this company, but for the town as a whole.”
Tyler noted that since its beginning, Down East Preservation’s employees feel the community’s love and support.
“I think of this preservation business that’s based in history, love of place and a love of Eastern North Carolina,” he said. “I always challenge people to find me another community that could support a company like Down East Preservation like this community.”
Edenton-Chowan Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Susan Creed and Chamber Board Member Stuart Proctor (Byrum’s Hardware) also gave remarks during the ceremony.
A video of the grand opening, from our YouTube channel, appears below:
The building’s previous owner, John Mitchener, attended the grand opening. He noted that the tin ceiling is original to the building, but was hidden by a drop ceiling during a previous renovation. He said he liked what has been done with the property.
Besides the office space, Down East is currently renovating the upper-floor apartments.
About the company
The Woodworks studio is on North Broad Street in Edenton. Down East Preservation has an office in Belhaven. Tyler said it helps the company expand its work into the historic Beaufort County communities of Bath, Belhaven and Little Washington.
After starting with private home renovations, Down East Preservation’s focus has shifted to include more state and federal funded restoration projects, such as Hayes Plantation and Kadish AME Church, both in Edenton.
“The magnitude of our projects has increased,” Tyler said of the company’s current projects.
Down East Preservation’s downtown Edenton office is at 307 S. Broad St. For information, visit downeastpreservation.com online or call (252) 395-0644.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Creed noted the Edenton-Chowan Chamber of Commerce‘s next big event is its annual banquet, set for April 3. Vehicle Day is set for April 30. Details for the kid-friendly event will be announced soon.
