Little Garden Restaurant & Lounge, Lawrenceville

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The foundation for this lovely mansion was laid with granite from Stone Mountain and was home for only two families; the Chatmans and the Carvers.

After Mr. Carver passed away, his wife continued to live here until the late 1970's.

The Christmas season at Little Gardens has always been a celebrated event. The Carvers employed many of the communities youth to keep the gardens and to adorn the house with holiday decor. Each year the Carvers hung a bag filled with shiny silver dollars to the chandelier on the front porch. The youth waited eagerly for Mr. Carver to release the bag so that they could catch their annual Christmas bonus. The youth of the community would return annually to maintain the gardens of the house.

The house was named Little Gardens after Mr. Carvers childhood home in Hanover, Virginia. We are told that his home was a large farm with many little gardens that provided the families with their food.

Mrs. Carver sold the estate to Dr. Ralph Tillman and his wife Wilma, with the understanding that the home was not to be destroyed. She approved the plans to turn the home unto a fine dining restaurant and saw some of the renovation underway before her death in June 1978. On Thanksgiving Day that same year, Little Gardens opened its doors as a restaurant.

In 1984 the restaurant was purchased by Pam and John Gibb. In keeping with the name Little Gardens, the Gibbs oversaw the construction of the enchanting perennial and waterfall gardens. In 1989 the estate was expanded to include the cappuccino lounge and the formal banquet room. Since 1988 we have had the honor of being voted Best Special Night Out, Most Romantic, Best Reception Facility and the prestigious Governors Award.