THE HISTORY OF RIVERVIEW FARM AND GARDEN

Our building, constructed in 1916, was purposefully built to house Felmet's Garage. The owner, Samuel R. Felmet, was a Haywood County native and former locomotive engineer. Felmet's garage was the first Ford dealership in Haywood County. As the owner and manager, he provided car parts, gasoline, and other services through 1928, when he retired.

The building's top floor was home to his family, while the lower floor housed Mr. Felmet's Ford business. The lower floor was comprised of five bays for autos to drive inside for repair work. Later these were filled in with brick to accommodate the building's use as a seed and feed store.

Originally, the building faced the southernmost part of Main Street leading to Canton's once steel truss bridge, which was removed in November of 1962. Penland Street, running alongside Riverview Farm and Garden, still provides a view of the bridge abutment. In later years, 23 Penland Street was used as a motor garage for Champion Paper until the early 60's, when it became Haywood Farm Supply. In 1987, the name was changed to Riverview Farm and Garden. Ron Mills became the owner and operator until 2018, when it was sold to Christopher Watkins.

Christopher “Chris” Watkins is Ron Mills' son-in-law, thus continuing the family business. Chris and his wife, Angie, proudly uphold the values of honesty and loyalty established by Ron in 1987. Chris and Angie aim to run a business that serves their community with integrity, providing the best products at competitive prices.

Since 1987, Riverview Farm and Garden has expanded from two buildings to six, which now includes a greenhouse, fertilizer shed, and building materials shed. Riverview has consistently launched new products to address community needs and will continue to listen to and strive to fulfill the evolving needs of the community.

The business has weathered four floods: Frances and Ivan in 2004, Fred in 2021, and Hurricane Helene in 2025. The community spirit in Canton was crucial for Riverview's recovery from the floods, as many locals, family, and friends united to assist with cleanup and rebuilding efforts.

Rebuilding After The Flood

When Hurricane Helene swept through Canton, NC, the Riverview Farm & Garden building took a direct hit. The structure faced severe flooding that damaged walls, flooring, and much of its electrical infrastructure. What had once been a reliable, well-loved space for community events and daily farm operations was suddenly unusable.

Rather than walk away, the decision was made to rebuild—with care, intention, and a stronger foundation. Every inch of the restored building reflects that journey: elevated floors, reinforced materials, and design choices that balance charm with durability. The flood may have changed the landscape, but it didn’t shake the mission. Riverview Farm & Garden is here to stay—stronger than before and rooted deeper in the heart of Canton.