May Hosiery Mills property manager talks history, change in Wedgewood Houston
Written by Carol Smith
For over four decades, Tom Hodge has been working on the property where May Hosiery Mills stands. He’s seen plenty of things change along the way. We had a few questions for him about what it’s like to manage a historic venue. Here’s what he had to say:
How different is the building now, in post-redevelopment, compared to when you began?
It’s [more] different than daylight and dark. AJ Capital actually came in and preserved the buildings. These walls have seen a lot, and I’m happy that the history was maintained. This also means that the building is easier to care for.
You’ve been managing the building for a long time; why is this building important to you? What has kept you in your job for so long?
I was 22 years old when I started here, and I’ll be 67 my next birthday, so yes, it’s important to me. It’s been my whole life. While you see much of the city changing and taking new shape, Wedgewood Houston has been a major constant.
How did you get your job? What can you tell us about your first day on the job?
Just about anyone who had a blue-collar job back then probably worked here at least a day or two. Working at May Hosiery Mills was one of those things you either liked, or you didn’t. Upon entering the main building, there was a long hallway with yellow lines on the floor. They would say, “Follow the yellow lines and they will take you to the front door.”
I first came here to fix knitting machines (that department was in the building now home to Anecdote Architecture). Quickly after I started, there was an opening that came up in maintenance, and I raised my hand. Maintenance got to be over the entire property, which is what I wanted.
It’s been a journey – a long, adventurous journey (no pun intended). When AJ Capital [editor’s note: AJ stands for Adventurous Journeys] bought the property, I was very happy that I got the chance to stay. May Hosiery Mills has been a huge part of my life.
AJ Capital Partners bought the historic property in 2015 and began redeveloping the four-acre, six-building campus of the former sock mill.