Stores are often the backbone of a community; long-time neighbours help you find what you’re looking for or fulfill a service that’s needed.
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The old Phillips store in Lloydminster really exemplifies exactly what it means to look out for your neighbour. Roy Phillips, along with Dr. G.L. Cooke purchased the Outfitter and War Surplus store in Lloydminster from John Christie in 1927.
It was Phillips understanding of his customers that propelled his business. He would extend credit to his customers. As an example, farmers during the harvest would have money to pay for the products they needed, by Christmas that stock would often run out.
During the Second World War, Phillips didn’t have a lot of help at the shop and needed his four boys, George, Bob, Bill and Doug to work in the store after school and Saturdays.
George later took a manager trainee session in Edmonton which landed him a job with the Hudson’s Bay Company in Port Alberni, B.C.
It would be in 1948 when George returned to Lloydminster after Phillips asked him to work at the store again. Phillips was killed in a car crash in 1965 and George, alongside his wife, Dorothy Rose, continued the business on their own.
They expanded the selection of merchandise the store offered. At the time it was usual for the store to have $20,000 on hand to cash cheques for customers who couldn’t make it to the bank on time.
By the 1970’s George opened another store targeted at younger people. The new store, Man’s World, sold men’s and ladies’ sportswear, casual clothing and formal dress. Then in 1994 George and his wife sold the business deciding to retire, it stayed in the family as their daughter Joanne Berry took over.
Cornerstone Clothiers seemed like the right fit for the third generation of Phillip’s stores. The building was remodelled from its Man’s World days but had the same friendly atmosphere.
The business that began all the way back in 1927 ran until 2007 when Berry retired.
When people talk about big box stores being what funds a community or brings in more people I look to stories like the Phillip’s store.
Small businesses provide an unbelievable service to the community and often stick around for years. They provide valuable services and products and are usually intimately connected to the local business world.
Small businesses and small business owners are pillars of a community and I implore you to discover what’s in your community.
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