Iconic Gaston County business closing And now, after nearly 46 years in business, that thread is about to break forever. The iconic thread shop in west Gastonia, which attracted buyers from around the country and tour groups from across the Southeast, will be going out of business soon. Long Creek Mills was founded by the man who grew to be the face and the spirit of the business, the late Charlie Rector, who died in the spring of 2015. The decision to close the business was a difficult one for daughter Emily Arthur, son-in-law Chuck Arthur, and granddaughter Erin Arthur, but changing times and a changing business environment left them little choice.