Dimp Phillips
48th Anniversary
Phillips Variety Store


Most of us have never known her real given name. She has always been know to us as "Dimp." Dimp Bagley Phillips was born in Forsyth County on July 22, the year is a secret. Her parents, Raleigh and Dessie Bagley had four other children, Eldred, Ruth, Elva and George. Dimp attended school in Forsyth County. Her childhood was spent as most of the families in this area. She was surrounded by love of family and neighbors in a secure environment with almost all of her activities centered in church activities.
When Dimp grew up she met Wendell (Red) Phillips and after a brief courtship, they were married on May 1st. Dimp happily moved to Alpharetta and made this her home.

Dimp and Red have two sons, Wendell, Jr., and Tommy. Both of their sons studied medicine and became physicians like their grandfather.

Dimp has always been very active. In 1954, after her children started to school, she purchased the store and she and her sister, Ruth, ran the store. Ruth has since retired, but Dimp intends to continue to run the store as long as she is physically able.

Phillips' Variety Store was originally opened 48 years ago on May 14, 1954. It was originally located at 1 Main Street and remained there for many years until the store was moved to its present location. Wheat and corn meal were originally made in this building and was operated by Red's uncles at one time. The rafters from the original building are still visible and are part of the nostalgia of the variety store. You may possibly be able to vacuum meal or flour from these beams.

The store is a memorial to the Alpharetta of the 1950's. Very little has changed, except possibly the items that Dimp can no longer obtain. She still orders from most of the wholesalers that she did at the time she opened the store. Many of the customers now buy toys for their grandchildren and great grandchildren similar to the ones that they bought for their children.

It would be impossible to list the items available only at the variety store. It would be a valuable experience to drop by and browse and visit a while with Dimp during the month of May and enjoy the 48th anniversary of the Phillips Variety Store.

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Copyright 2007-2009 by Elsie Knight