Unknown Playset!!!

[curious3069]

I'm trying to identify the tall playset in the back of this photo!



It's approximately 10 inches tall, maybe 12 inches long.   The gold coat of arms says "Royal Stables".   You can flip up the top gable and there a sign stating "parade today".    If you turn the set around, the sides fold out and it looks like a city block.   There are shops lining the street-ie, bakery, toy shop, etc.     The base is marked "Empire, Inc." and it was made in China.   

It's a really cute set so I'd like to find more of it and any accessories that might go with it, but I can't for the life of me figure out what the heck it is!

[funkyfifi]

Hi! Does it have a year or anything? I found this link, but think it was more boys toys, but shows Empire Toys catalogue??
http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2009/07/tarheel-empire-and-empire-made-story-so.html

[curious3069]

Now that I'm home and it's in front of me..it's dated 1999 and yes, I think that's probably the same company.     The full marking is:

@1999 Empire Ind, Inc
Tarboro, NC

From what I found, the company was known as Tarheel Industries, Carolina Enterprises, and Empire of Carolina at one point or another.    If it's the same company, they made a line of toys called "Empire Gnomes" which were a smurf knockoff.