CHARLIE A

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.

        Charlie Tregone was known by his friends for faithful and dutiful performance of his religious obligations.  He was a member of The Greek Orthodox Church since early childhood.  He watched his own church parish in Atlanta grow from less than 100 to several thousand communicants during the time he lived in Monroe.  Since he and his wife were not able to travel to Atlanta on a weekly basis to attend their church, they became “part time” members of the First Baptist Church where they endeared themselves to the entire church congregation.

        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.

        My father, also a connoisseur of good food and drink in his own right, was a frequent patron at Mr. Charlie’s along with my grandfather. My father told me once that it was always a treat sitting between Mr. Charlie and my grandfather as they tried to out-talk and out-revel each other with their stories and tales which were fueled by tall, cold glasses of brew.  Those must have been good times.  Those friendships, forged over the years, were remembered and treasured by Mr. Charlie for when he died, my father served as a pallbearer at his funeral.

        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”.