About Us

                           

Heritage House is a 25 year old, family, female, and veteran owned company.  We curate a collection of art, books, cards, gifts and home décor that reflect the African American tradition of faith, family, fitness and fun. 

I spent my career in the corporate world, but always loved collecting unique items that speak to the African American spirit and experience.

When my husband and I returned to Charlotte, NC in 1994, we opened what the Charlotte Observer called an "African accessory shop." Heritage House specialized in art, books, cards, gifts, home decor and furniture with an ethnic flair! 

The 2,000 sq foot store was a family affair. One brother built the checkout counter and installed all the display fixtures and another helped decorate.  My niece managed the store and our children worked there, alongside students from Johnson C. Smith University.                                                                                                              

The community embraced us! Black Charlotte is quick to support businesses that reflect our culture and portray who we are in a positive light.  Even other stores warmly received us as colleagues, not competitors.  Cornell and I loved the sense of community and the friendships that developed.

Five years later, I felt called to another position in corporate practice.  The change grieved me.  I missed seeing my customers and searching for the next unique item to showcase at Heritage House. However, I re-discovered some of that joy when I began providing product, on a consignment basis, to The Gallery at my home church, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. 

Now I feel called again. Joyfully, I am leaping at the opportunity to reflect and uplift our  African American spirit and nurture our tradition of faith, family, fitness and fun through an online store!  My vision is to share the breadth and depth of who we are as a people and to honor the great diversity within our own community. 

Cornell and I thank you for visiting, for supporting and for sharing our journey. 

Mary Wilson