1544 Main Street
Duffie’s Bookstore Building
Repeated renovations to this circa-1871, Reconstruction-era building parallel the evolution of Main Street. During the 20th century, various property owners modernized this structure to reflect then-current architectural and fashion trends. The property’s current owners are in the process of restoring the structure’s façade to better represent a 1938 renovation designed by James B. Urquhart. Urquhart’s plan incorporated original cast-iron decorative ventilators above the second-story windows, but heavily altered the façade through more sophisticated brickwork and the installation of a new storefront. Historically, the building was home to Duffie & Chapman’s Bookstore and a confectioner; later occupants included Rose Hill Greenhouses, the Metropolitan Café, two beauty salons—Darling and Mayfair—and several shoe stores, including Cannon, Marilyn and Endicott-Johnson. Since 1996, it has been home to Drake’s Duck-In, a popular Main Street fast-food restaurant.
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This picture of the 1500 Block of Main Street, east side in 1895 shows the original appearance of 1544 Main Street, before its extensive modification by architect James Urquhart. Image courtesy South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia
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Duffie's Bookstore, circa 1899. Image courtesy Russell Maxey collection, Richland Library
