1902 Stock Exchange

"A jewel waiting to be discovered" - that's what Rita Pritchard, proprietress of The 1902 Stock Exchange & Public Square Opera House, thought about Adairsville when she discovered the small town in 1991. She was looking for a place to relocate her Cobb County antiques shop and found Adairsville, with all its historic charm and grace, to be just the place.

Adairsville's Historic Public Square had seen better days. While some businesses thrived downtown, other buildings sat empty. It was just such a building that caught Rita's eye. The N. C. Anderson Building, built in 1902, had been vacant for many years, ravaged by weather and time. Rita looked beyond the visible scars to see ornate woodwork and pressed-metal ornaments - she became a first-time and die-hard restorationist.

The restoration was extensive, but the labor was fruitful. In 1994, Rita opened The 1902 Stock Exchange and one year later was honored with the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Outstanding Rehabilitation Project award.

Today visitors to downtown Adairsville can discover the 1902 Stock Exchange for themselves by dining at the Maggie Mae Cafe & Tea Room or shopping for the many wonderful treasures inside.

Businesses at the 1902 Stock Exchange

Maggie Mae's Cafe & Tea Room is located downstairs in the center of the gallery shops. The decor is pleasant and the aromas of imported tea and coffee are enticing. The tea room fare includes fresh chicken salad and other specialty salads, melt in your mouth quiche, grilled reuben and Monte Christo sandwiches, and a daily entree special. Top off your lunch with a choice specialty dessert such as hummingbird cake, or scrumptious pie. Custom planning is provided for bridal luncheons and teas or for any special occasion. When the weather is pleasant, enjoy lunch outside in the intimate setting of a brick courtyard.

The Corra Harris Bookstore is a gallery of great regional interest and named for the novelist from nearby Pine Log and author of The Circuit Rider's Wife and many other titles. The bookstore features out-of-print books and collections by Georgia authors. Browsers can find favorite new titles, as well.

The Public Square Opera House upstairs is the place for seasonal dinner theater. Rita has chosen to present period plays to accentuate the atmosphere. Says Rita, "I want the whole experience to be a step back to a gracious time." Rita also wants to make the most of seasonal opportunities for attracting theatre-goers to the opera house performances, such as Valentine's Day, and the Christmas Holidays. Some productions include "The King and I," Mark Twain's "Diary of Adam and Eve," "Little Women," "It's a Wonderful Life," and "A Christmas Carol."

The 1902 Stock Exchange is a proud member of The Historic High Country Travel Association, the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber or Commerce, and the Adairsville Lions Club.