- [Chris] Every detail from the table settings to the meticulously crafted dishes speaks of refinement and luxury.

Not merely a meal, but an experience where the charm of the past meets the standards of modern dining, transporting people to a world of opulence and sophistication.

- I thought it was amazing.

- They are blown away that there's a place that is dressed up and as an elegant to have an event at as what we do here.

- [Chris] The food and ambiance captivate all who enter, but it's the footman and their impeccable service that lingers in conversations.

- You have your assigned table numbers, everybody watch for each other.

- [Chris] Dressed in elegant tails, gleaming gold buttons, crisp vests, dapper bow ties, polished cuff links, and of course, pristine white gloves.

The footman of the Sharpe House attend a guest with grace and precision from the instant they arrive.

- Funnest thing about this is being able to interact with more people, being able to serve them with your heart.

- It's something that they don't get to see very often.

- [Chris] Once a staple on the 18th and 19th century European aristocracy, the role has now faded into history.

Unless, of course, you're a British royal.

The group wasn't originally part of the festivities at the Sharpe House, but one evening Keith Fry stumbled upon a program that sparked his curiosity.

- It was inspired by watching Downton Abbey.

If it weren't for PBS and WTVI broadcasting it, I wouldn't have known about it.

- [Chris] From setting the candles, properly placing forks and spoons, glassware, just so the footman do it all.

- I've had the good fortune to actually go to London and had tea at The Ritz, and I'm very proud to say not one thing different.

So we're on par with The Ritz in London, but not nearly as expensive.

- [Chris] Historically, the role has been filled by young men, teenagers.

Same ones that do this (crowd cheering) are the same age as the young men serving refreshments with hor d'oeuvres and a multi-course meal.

But finding the right young men was a challenge at first.

- Grabbed two bag boys from the grocery store.

One of 'em, I had to take the tailcoat to him, put it on him and say, "You're hired, you're working tomorrow night."

- [Chris] That was 11 years ago and marked the beginning of a transformative chapter in the Sharpe House.

As site manager, Keith faced a dilemma.

Like most historic homes, it needed some love.

Upkeep is expensive.

Ever the problem solver, Keith's solution was brilliant, helping the mansion and his catering company.

- It's a partnership, so to speak, where the house rental money takes care of the fees for keeping up the house.

But accounting did not wanna get involved with food and flowers and whatnot associated with weddings and things.

So my business is known as Crowning Events and so we give everyone a royal term, and we do it in this splendor of this beautiful house.

- [Chris] If you're eager to learn and put in the effort, Keith will teach you the art of etiquette.

- Alex has sensory processing disorder and so when you ask Alex, "Tie your shoes," it takes him a little bit to be able to respond.

It may look as he's being insubordinate, which he is not.

He's just trying to process the information.

But Keith is phenomenal and he understands it.

- [Chris] Children with autism often struggle with communication, social interaction, and focus issues, but something about putting on the footman's uniform changes these young men.

- It's the old adage of clothes make the man.

- The confidence I think is even greater than anything else because he was a very quiet kid when he first started with Keith, and he's completely come out of his shell.

- You know, in my own life, I'm much more like this.

I'm the smiling guy, but when I'm serving and working, I'm more like.

- Although, it may have backfired in Alex's case.

- I never really asked him to do anything very difficult because in my mind, he couldn't handle it.

And then I saw him at the Mother's Day Tea, the one I went to, and he was leading other kids.

And so now he gets a lot more chores at home.

- There is less time for homework, which makes it, you know, a little bit more stressful.

- [Chris] Small price to pay for the opportunity to be part of something so special.

- This place is just an opportunity for us to just learn and just have experiences that'll just shape us for our future.

- [Chris] Fostering skills that serve them for a lifetime.

- My husband and I had already always thought that he would probably be with us forever, but seeing him perform at these events, he's totally fine.

The kid's gonna be able to live on his own, have a family of his own, and flourish in adulthood.

- Obviously, all of these guys get along and they enjoy what they do.

But, excuse me, fellas, this isn't charity work.

If they're 14 or 15 years or older and they got a work permit, they're getting paid for all of this.

Now the guys that are younger, they do get paid, but it's with something that is oh, so sweet.

- Pound cake.

And if anyone knows the Sharpe House, they know what I'm talking about.

It's my mother's recipe.

It's called a double vanilla pound cake.

- [Chris] Keith and the Sharpe House footmen are curators of an unforgettable experience that leaves an indelible mark on the soul.

His goal is simple, yet profound.

- We want them to leave here feeling royal, feeling as though this is gonna be something I'll always cherish.

- [Chris] Be it dinner for 20 at the mansion, or a grand gala for 200 across the street at the Civic Center, every detail is flawlessly executed, creating a memorable experience that lingers long after the last plate is cleared.

For "Carolina Impact," I'm Chris Clark.