The original Gregorie, Douglas & Co. was founded in historic Charleston, SC in 1781 when James Gregorie and his partner, Sir William Douglas, both from Scotland opened a retail business at 26 Church Street. Their operation specialized in a wide variety of imported goods from Europe and East India.

By the Yard was formed in 1978 when Harry Gregorie’s Mother, Jane Gregorie, and two of her business associates formed a partnership which sold "seconds" of drapery and upholstery fabrics in a 2,500 square foot shop in Charleston. In subsequent years Jane Gregorie’s partners exited the business and the partnership was dissolved. In 1992 Harry Gregorie purchased the business incorporating it as By the Yard, Inc.

In early 1993 By the Yard opened its second store in the Charleston suburb of Mt. Pleasant. At that time the company began to take advantage of this larger floor area by diversifying into additional product lines such as furniture, rugs and accessories. Today the Mount Pleasant location has grown to 25,000 square feet.

In 1999 the business name was changed from By the Yard to Gregorie, Douglas & Company- or GDC Home.

In early 2006 GDC Home opened a 3,300 square foot design center at Freshfields Village, located at the crossroads of Kiawah and Seabrook Islands.  

GDC Home expanded yet again in November 2007 opening a 23,000 square foot store in Summerville, SC.

Since 1992 GDC has evolved from a 2,500 square store, operating with 2 associates, to nearly 85,000 square feet of merchandised space and 55 full time employees.