VALDESE, North Carolina — Valdese Weavers has purchased the Circa1801 facility in Connelly Springs, NC, according to Michael Shelton, President & CEO. The 156,000 square foot structure houses the Circa 1801 Design studio, administrative  offices, and manufacturing plant. The building was constructed in 1997, and is located five miles from the company’s headquarters in Valdese, NC. “The Circa facility is a premium design center and manufacturing operation”, according to Shelton. “ It was constructed specifically for the type of textile manufacturing that we do, and the design studio and archive is simply magnificent. We originally leased the building when we acquired the Circa 1801, Home Fabrics, and Mastercraft Contract businesses in 2007. Our decision to purchase this facility is an indication of our commitment to our manufacturing platform in North Carolina, which now consists of four factories totaling nearly one million square feet in Burke County. It also deepens our commitment to our community, and the approximately 1,000 ESOP associates who are the employee-owners of Valdese Weavers.“ Valdese Weavers is a 100% employee-owned ESOP company. It is the largest manufacturer of decorative textiles in the United States for use in residential and contract markets. The company operates four facilities in Burke County, N.C., and trades under the brand names Valdese Weavers, Valdese Weavers Contract, Circa 1801, Home Fabrics by Wesley Mancini, Valdese International Products (VIP) and Dicey Fabrics.