Construction of the Friedheim and Smith-Fewell buildings began in June 1898. Local craftsmen built both structures using over 1 million brick, 5 railcars of stone, 150,000 ft. of lumber, and over 700 sq. ft. of plate glass. Both stores opened to the public in the spring of 1899. Friedheim's was the first store in Rock Hill to sell ready-to-wear clothes, along with carpets, furniture, buggies, and dry goods. From 1910-1914, the Smith-Fewell building served as a mercantile establishment and the Rock Hill Library.