The Ridgeway Opry House......
has become a piece of the fabric of old
Ridgeway, North Carolina.
Weldon and Videtta Daeke purchased this piece of property from Mr. Donald Scott who owned the old Mabry Store
that once stood on this spot. The old store burned down in 1947 and Weldon and Videtta purchased this property in
1948. When renovations were begun on this present building, in March of 2003, it was discovered that some of the
huge foundation stones from the old Mabry store are still under this building.
The building, as we know it today, was constructed in 1950. It didn't have the big porch on it but the building proper
is basically unchanged. Weldon named his store the Ridgeway Supply Company and it quickly became an extremely
popular gathering place for the local citizens. In 1969 Weldon passed away and it was left to Videtta to run the store.
Upon finding that it was a chore that was difficult as well as unsafe, she finally was talked into selling everything. In
1975 Videtta sold the place to Robert and Jane Bender. The Benders kept the store running for a time and even tried
an antique business for a while until Robert decided, in 1995, that he would let local musicians come in on Saturday
night and play and sing country, old time mountain and bluegrass music.
Robert named the venue....the Ridgeway Opry.......
and this building became The Ridgeway Opry House...
Playing old time music at the Opry House soon became a much loved, regular Saturday night "happening" and one
could always find Robert out on the porch, an edifice he had added to the building when he opened the antique shop,
talking with the folks and making them feel welcome. Mr. Bender passed away in 1997 but his wife Jane kept his
tradition going as long as she could. As all good things must come to an end one day, the Opry House finally closed,
but it was sorely missed by one an all. In 2003 Frieda Bender Egerton, a cousin of Robert and a citizen of Ridgeway,
purchased the old store and property from Jane Bender.......because she missed the music. Frieda is an accomplished
singer and musician and a founding member of the Germantown Strings, group of local musicians who often sang
and played at the old store. Extensive remodeling was immediately started and over the next nine months or so the
place was completely rebuilt. A new wrap around porch was added with an enclosed foyer and a music room.
The "All new" Ridgeway Opry House, once again, opened its doors to the general public on May 8th, 2004 and
is now a shining new addition to the history of Ridgeway, North Carolina.