Southern Rides Custom Upholstery

About SR

It started as a case of mistaken identity. I was hired on at Marquis Boats of Hartsville, SC
to work in the upholstery shop. They thought I was someone else who had experience. It
became apparent after only a couple of days that I didn't have a clue. But I did have experience
working in the furniture business, just not the upholstery side of it, and the supervisor liked me.
So began my journey.

Soon I was on my own. My first shop opened in 1976 as Henson's Upholstery . It was located
in the Pine Ridge community of Hartsville in an old tin building which had no insulation whatsoever.
That place would freeze you in the winter and cook you in the summer. Despite the lack of quality
facilities, this was a time very dear to me for I came to know my lord and savior Jesus Christ.

Eventually I found better facilities and wound up on Hwy 15 North. There, I remained in operation
until 1985. The stresses of 60 to 70 hour work weeks, a daughter age 5 that I hardly seen, coupled
with church and community became too much and I closed the doors and took a job at Sara Lee
Hosiery. When Sara Lee closed in 1996, I reopened as Henson's Upholstery. I worked in a shop
behind my home, working mostly with furniture, until 1998 when I began working for Stingray Boat
Company of Hartsville. There I helped to develop boat seats and interiors in the prototype stages.

Now I have returned under the name of Southern Rides. My love of custom hot rods, restored
classics and motorcycles, paired with the new trends and renewed interests of all, have encouraged
me to again go out on my own.

I would like to thank all that I have served over the last thirty years and especially to God without
whom none is possible. I would also like to welcome any potential new customers and invite you
to contact me for your next project.