It's Just a Matter of Time

   Last I remember, the only thing Carl GA had going for it was Carl's Café, where Frank Seoh serves his powder puff biscuits. So what's a Korean doing baking biscuits in Carl? 

   When Seoh moved from Korea to Atlanta in 1982 a restaurant co-worker, Sonny Robinson, taught him all about Southern cooking. Then in 1996, he heard about a business opportunity in Carl and felt it was a good time to move.

   "It's nice country living. Everybody's kind. I love it here," said Seoh.

   The last time I drove through Carl, I met another unlikely resident who's also in love with this tiny town of 200 that doesn't even qualify for a post office.

   As I turned left out of Carl's Café to head back home, I saw a massive brick wall that wasn't there the last time I passed through. I drove through the gate to what is known as Carl House, an historic mansion that has been converted into a banquet hall for weddings, fundraisers and business meetings. In fact, the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce will hold its CEO Quarterly gathering there this month. 

   The owner, BB Webb, gave me a grand tour of the ballroom, conference rooms with fireplaces and private gardens. The next phase will be Carl House Stables, a lavish inn for overnight guests.

   In addition to providing a setting for elegant weddings, Carl House offers newlyweds relationship workshops led by licensed counselors as part of a holistic approach to marriage.

   "There's more to marriage that just that one day. A good marriage takes work and we want to offer couples continued support as they grow together."
Webb, practically a newlywed herself, didn't marry until she was in her early 40's.

   With a drama degree from Ohio State University, she studied under mime guru Tony Montanaro (Pretendo.) She spent over 20 years acting all over the USA and conducting drama workshops in prisons and nursing homes.

   So how did she end up in Carl?

   "In 1997, I was on tour in Atlanta and went to a Cajun Zydeco dance at the Knights of Columbus. Someone I met said I had to go with her out to Chips in Winder to meet this really cute guy who was the mayor of Carl. I went and now I'm married to him."

   Webb loves the small town atmosphere and the sense of community that she never had in all those years on the road. She also feels a divine force brought her there.

   "It's amazing how what's meant to be happens in its own time. When my husband Tom and I decided to open Carl House, we had no idea where the money would come from, but it all just fell into place."

   First Carl's Café. Now Carl House. And with BB on the town development committee, Carl might someday even have a post office! (In its own time, of course.)

110304

Archive