ABOUT CHARMS
Our Location
CHARMS is set within a 100+ year old two story Victorian home just off of Hwy. 301 in a historic village of Ellenton. At the Ellenton-Gillette traffic light, south of Hwy 301 toward the river, that same road is named Leffingwell Ave. It was named after Hiram Leffingwell who in 1884 donated the land and a bell that became The Union Church. After joining the Methodist Conference it became The Ellenton United Methodist Church and is currently celebrating 125 years of continuing ministry. CHARMS sits directly across the street.
CHARMs is one mile west of The Ellenton Outlet Mall. Exit 224 off I-75, make a right onto Hwy. 301, go one mile, left at the stop light - 3rd house on the right - parking in the back.
905 Leffingwell Ave., Ellenton, FL 34222 941-723-6563
Visit Soon! Visit Often!
The Beginning
The Matthews House was built in 1905 by Brilla Matthews and her husband. The Matthews were gentlemen farmers and faithful members of the church across the street. The old Florida style wooden house - Victorian Vernacular – had been one of the most prominent homes in the area and was the host for weddings, showers and other special occasions.
The Revival
Family members occupied the home until 1970. By the early 90’s the property was condemned. The fire department thought for sure it would be donated as a practice and training site. In 1992 the house was sold with intensions of restoring it but it proved to be a daunting task. In 2002 the house was sold to the current owner’s – Harry and Bobbie McGraw. Thus the beginning of CHARMS of Leffingwell. During the next 4 years the house was completely restored and zoning was obtained for its’ current use as an Antique Shop and TeaRoom. Mrs. Matthews would be pleased.
Meet The Owners
Harry and Bobbie McGraw are retired from their professional careers and are enjoying the pursuit of their passions as the founders and owners of CHARMS.
Harry is a Master Plumber by trade and has owned companies, ran companies and for the last 16 years was Vice President of Sales for a large mechanical firm in Clearwater in charge of estimating, purchasing and a consultant in all phases of job execution and performance.
Today Harry is the fixer of all! He has a love of woodworking and can fix or build anything. If its’ broke he can fix it! If you can imagine it Harry can build it! Benches, pergolas and garden chairs are just a few of his latest creations.
Bobbie was Associate Publisher for a lifestyle magazine in Sarasota and has set sales records unprecedented in the industry. Her success in sales was realized by her love of people and her ability to solve problems. A project close to her heart was the “ASID – Jewels on the Bay” program book which benefited The Boys and Girls Clubs. This was a designer showhouse annual project showcasing the latest and greatest in interior design.
Today Bobbie is realizing her dream – selling some junk and digging in the dirt. She is doing that and much, much more. She has always had a love for things of the past. The pieces all have a story to tell. Bobbie’s philosophy – better quality for less than the price of new – and the memories that each piece carries with it are free. Antiques offer quality, function and beauty – and oh the Charm!
She has also reinvented herself to be an amateur connoisseur in Tea. Always appreciating a good cup of Tea it was a natural to open “The Back Room and Garden” within the home that is CHARMS.
CHARMS of Leffingwell - an environment that is like comfort food for the soul.
VISIT SOON! VISIT OFTEN!
Charms Today
A Southern-style wrap-around porch leads visitors into the gracious southern home of CHARMS of Leffingwell. A double staircase takes you upstairs where there are 4 bedrooms, a bath and a sleeping porch where family members would sleep on hot summer nights. Downstairs includes a parlor, living room, dining room, kitchen and the back room and an addition from the 40’s.The original footprint of the house is intact.
The Historic Ellenton Area boasts 8 antiques shops, The Gamble Mansion, The Earth Box Garden Center and of course The Ellenton Outlet Mall. All this and more in a quaint setting all within 2 miles of interstate 75 - exit 224. Bring your friends, plan a day in Ellenton and start by calling ahead to have lunch at The Tea Room At CHARMS of Leffingwell - 941-723-6563.
A Visit Home
For years, Mary Martha Kaminski, the daughter of the original owner could not bear to visit the two-story house in Ellenton where she was born and grew up. "It would make me cry," Kaminski said. "It was dilapidated. It was really sad. "For her 83rd birthday, Kaminski made an emotional return to see the house for the first time since the work was completed. Three generations of Matthew’s family members gathered at the house for Kaminski's birthday. To her delight, the house on Leffingwell Avenue is now much as she remembers from her childhood. Most of the memories were of Kaminski's mother, Brilla Matthews. A hard-working woman, Matthews would sing hymns as she worked around the house. While other children ate sandwiches for lunch, she would take her children a plate of hot food for lunch at nearby Ellenton Elementary. When they returned in the late afternoon, home-made pies would be cooling on the window ledge. Kaminski lived in the house until 1946. She later returned after she was married and raised her children there in the 1950s. Upon arriving for the party Matthews granddaughter, Sharon Willis, was heard saying "Can you feel her when you come in?” "I can feel her." The house has a “good feel” and that could very well be from the memories left by Mrs. Matthews.
Charms of Leffingwell Antiques, Collectibles and TeaRoom,
905 Leffingwell Avenue, Ellenton, Florida 34222 Call 941-723-6563