Phillips Variety Store an Alpharetta landmark

Metro Atlanta

Photos: Phillips Variety Store in Alpharetta may close after the death of proprietor Ermine "Dimp" Phillips.

Ermine "Dimp" Phillips, who died in July at the age of 91, opened Phillips Variety Store in Alpharetta in 1952 along with her sister, Ruth. The store has been a longtime fixture on Milton Street, but may now be closing.

In the early 1980s Ermine Phillips moved to a new spot across Milton Street. Her business shrank when Wal-Mart and Kmart took root and the old wholesale suppliers folded. For the past decade or so, Phillips Variety was more hobby than business, and for the past year and a half it was only open three days a week.

Chatty Patty and Thumbelina dolls stand on a shelf waiting to enchant little girls from a previous decade. In addition, Dubble Bubble gum goes three pieces for a nickel and a collection of costume jewelry from the 1950s is spread out in a flat basket with pieces starting at 29 cents.

Ermine Phillips, the sole staff person in the store, gave every transaction a personal touch.

Mrs. Phillips' son, Dr. Wendell Phillips, his wife, Nancy Phillips, and family friend, Elizabeth Greenwood, reminisce about the old days in the store.

A old Dixie Flyer wagon is in the window.

Many old toys can be found in the store, including these old skates, the kind that required a skate key to adjust.

Mrs. Phillips still used an old mechanical cash register, and wrote each days sales on the tape. Her last entry is still on the machine, June 24th, the last day she opened the store.

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Ermine "Dimp" Phillips, who died in July at the age of 91, opened Phillips Variety Store in Alpharetta in 1952 along with her sister, Ruth. The store has been a longtime fixture on Milton Street, but may now be closing.

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