Profile written and provided courtesy Nowell Briscoe ( [email protected] )
CHARLIE
A. TREGONE
1886
– 1961
MONROE’S
EARLY RESTAURATEUR
I have been told on more than one occasion that Monroe has always had
some of the finest eating establishments of anywhere around.
Whether it be a hamburger joint such as the late Perry Garrett began back
in the 40’s or one of the more refined restaurants that lined Broad Street and
other venues scattered about town, every citizen could always be assured of
finding the perfect place to satisfy their appetites.
One of Monroe’s earliest restaurants began with the arrival of Greek
native Charles Arthur Tregone, when he opened his Manhattan Café, which for 41
years was a landmark on Broad Street and among North Georgia eating circles.
A man of strong ambitions and enduring goals, Mr. Tregone taught himself
to speak and write English shortly after he landed in New York in 1904. Always a
strong believer in the American way of life, he and his wife had the distinction
of sending five children to the University of Georgia where all graduated.
“Mr. Charlie”, as he liked to be called, came to Monroe in 1914 from
Manchester, New Hampshire, where he resided since 1904. In 1911 he traveled back
to his native land to marry a hometown girl, Rena Pappas, in 1912.
After his marriage the couple went back to New Hampshire where he started
in the restaurant business before moving to Monroe.
Throughout his years as a Monroe restauranteur, Mr. Charlie enjoyed a
wide and large popularity among those who enjoyed good food.
He was considered a top culinary artist and his place of business in the
old Nunnally Building on Broad Street served as an extension for a super market
at the time of his retirement in 1955. After
he left his apron and cooking utensils behind, he began using other tools akin
to gardening as he created a wonderful garden behind his home on Highland
Avenue, cultivating flowers, herbs, vegetables and other delights he happily
shared with his neighbors and friends. Folks
of that era knew when Mr. Charlie came calling with a basket of vegetables and
fruits from his garden, they would be the best that could be had!
For some years there was a
“friendly competition” between Mr. Charlie and Mendel’s as to who got what
from whom when it came to procuring various ingredients for the Manhattan Café.
It was told to me that on more than one occasion, some of the Mendel
family had been seen enjoying a hearty meal at Mr. Charlie’s establishment,
complete with plenty of beverages along with jovial conversation.
Death claimed Mr. Charlie in his sleep Saturday morning, May 27, 1961, in
his 75th year, gently stopping the beloved old gentleman’s heart as
he slept. Largely attended funeral
services were held at the Tregone home on Sunday, May 28th with the
priest from his Greek Orthodox Church in Atlanta presiding over the final rites.
His gentle and quiet character along with his high ideals brought him
first customers to his restaurant who later became life-long friends who were
always assured of a table at Charlie Tregone’s “Manhattan Restaurant”.