News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
One of the cornerstone businesses in downtown Monterey, Phillips Shoe Store, has closed after being sold Tuesday.
Owner Jeannie Templeton has owned the store for the past 13 years. She said health issues lead to her decision to sell.
“I’ve shed a lot of tears,” Templeton said. “Yesterday was really hard because it just hit me. I talked to a lot of my shoe reps I had for years and companies I have dealt with, and I shed a few tears on them. It’s really been tough.”
Templeton said the building is made up of a larger new addition and a smaller original building. Templeton said each building was sold to a separate buyer as well as the store’s merchandise to a third buyer.
“They were on two separate parcels,” Templeton said. “We actually sold the big building first, the newer part, and we were going to continue in the old part, so we moved everything to the old part. But then, I had a medical problem come up and stopped that.”
Phillips Shoe Store has been in business for over 40 years and was originally started by Jack Phillips. Templeton said she could not discuss what the buildings would be used for, but it will not be for shoe sales.
“I want to give a heartfelt thank you to all the great customers I have had through the years,” Templeton said. “They’ve been from near and far from this community to California to New York and all over. I just want to thank them for all the support.”
Templeton said Jack Phillips was a dear friend, but passed away years ago leaving the store closed for five months. Templeton said her sister worked for Phillips for many years and her family decided to take over the business.
