About "The Factory"
The Event at Two Ten showcases a captivating piece of Kernersville's history. Two brothers, William H. Leak and James N. Leak of Guilford County, traveled to Kernersville in 1873 to build a first-of-its-kind tobacco factory. Capitalizing on the at-the-time booming North Carolina industry, the Leak brothers expanded their business in 1884 by building a 3-story brick building. This is the building we now know as “The Factory," located on North Main Street in downtown Kernersville.
The three-story building underwent many renovations, like making space for the Victor Knitting Mill while simultaneously being used for Hotel Willis. By 1922, the Vance Knitting Mill had moved into the space once occupied by Victor Knitting Mill. The mill produced ladies hosiery and an additional building had to be built beside the original to keep up with
the growing demand. Burlington Mills would occupy the space
beginning in 1949, but by 1964, the building would see itself reimaged once again into a furniture-making factory when Lynwood Furniture, Inc. purchased the space.
By 1922, the Vance Knitting Mill had moved into the space once occupied by Victor Knitting Mill. Their hosiery business was growing exponentially, so an additional building was built beside the original to accommodate the growing Vance Knitting. Burlington Mills would occupy the space beginning in 1949, but by 1964, the building evolved once again into a furniture-making factory when Lynwood Furniture, Inc. purchased the space.
In 1972, the Hooker Furniture Company moved into the spaces, now including an additional building connecting the first two. The company closed the facility in 2003 after over thirty years, stating that it was the “oldest building and the smallest and the least flexible of all Hooker’s plants.”
Today, the space acts as a mixed-use facility. Apartments span the upper floors, while the lower level houses various businesses and shops.
Source: Kernersville Magazine