Dusty’s Rhodes Superette at 493 Dillard Road in Highlands is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and as someone who counts shopping at Dusty’s among my first memories, I am here for the celebration.
This family-run grocery forms a foundational thread in Highlands history since its beginning 75 years ago, when Dusty and Manila Rhodes bought her family’s grocery, Economy Grocery, which was then located across the street from its current location. Shortly thereafter, they built the current store building. Thinking ahead to their future family needs, the building was designed with the store at the front and family quarters at the rear.
Imagine how special it is to walk into today’s vibrant specialty food store but be briefly whisked back in time when your feet hit that hardwood floor. Close your eyes, and for a moment you can almost imagine seeing Dusty, Sr. sitting at the cash register welcoming you with a warm smile, often with his devoted beagle, Daisy, by his side. If you were lucky, his wife Manila might be passing through to chat a bit.
In the beginning and for many years thereafter, this welcoming store was a full-service grocery store. From staples to pet food to paper products, you could find it here, but always present was the specialty butcher shop, still the store’s shining star.
Times changed; Dusty and Manila’s children, Kitty and Dusty, Jr., took the reins after their parents passed. They were more than qualified, having grown up helping out in this family business from a tender age. Kitty recalls helping bag lettuce at six years old.
The appearance of big-box stores threatened many mom-and-pop grocery stores, but Dusty’s remained true to their community roots, changing enough to stay relevant, but always holding their family values at its heart. It became impossible to offer everyday basics at a competitive price, so Kitty and Dusty adapted, adding specialty food items, gift items, beer, wine, toys, their ever-popular deli and bakery items, and an impressive selection of take-and-bake items. Still central was the butcher shop, then under the watchful eye of Dusty, Jr.
Heartbreak struck when Dusty, Jr. unexpectedly passed, but Kitty knew how important it was to keep the flame burning. Today, Dusty’s family includes Kitty and her employees, whom she considers extended family: Vince, Tommy, Mike, Barry, Karen, and Davis, as well as all of us who wouldn’t trade a visit to Dusty’s for all the big box stores in America.
Dusty’s is a treasured gem, so stop by today and enjoy hometown hospitality, good eats, and the finest custom-cut meats on the Plateau.
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