In 1989 during the construction of the GrayBrier, founder, Richard G. Bennett, searched for a symbol to represent his years of management and service to the senior community in North Carolina. While on a long weekend in the historic district of Charleston, S.C., he found the perfect symbol, the Pineapple.

For several hundred years, the Sea Captains of Charleston returned home to their wives and families carrying treasures from their most recent voyages. By far the most popular were the most exotic of fruits, the pineapple. Pineapples were only grown in the Pacific islands of Hawaii. Either by direct voyage or by shrewd trades, these fruits could be obtained and brought thousands of miles to their homes in Charleston, S.C.

In the beginning the fruit was a sense of pride for the Captains and their families and were served fresh at "coming home parties" hosted by the Captains and their families. From there it became a symbol of "Southern Hospitality" in the Charleston community. Today, the pineapple symbol can be seen throughout the "battery" and historic areas of old Charleston in black wrought iron, wooden carvings, paintings, concrete and many other mediums.

So it appears today, and all years since the GrayBrier opened to serve residents in November of 1990, as the company symbol. It is also the revered pin that GrayBrier employees receive when they have served our residents faithfully for at least two years. It appears on many of our documents and adorns our beautiful facility in many locations. Even long-term consultants and service vendors have sought ownership to proudly wear the pineapple pin, the GrayBrier’s symbol of hospitality.