They came from places as far away as Texas, Louisiana and Georgia. They brought their children and later their grandchildren. For more than three decades, the little house, nestled beneath a canopy of pines on Crescent Drive, was a one-stop shop of wonders and curiosities to suit the young as well as the young at heart.
And the reason for it all was Pitty-Pat’s, a locally owned gift shop specializing in hard-to-find, high-end gifts and collectibles ranging from Italian-made Fontanini Nativity sets to tussy mussy bouquets made by an artisan in Artesia.
Owners Patsy and Joe Wilkins have decided to retire and close the business on Christmas Eve, and as their inventory dwindles, they find themselves reflecting on the people they’ve met and the experiences they’ve had over the years.
When did you open your business?
Patsy Wilkins: August 1979. We started out in our home with country pine furniture and then gradually expanded into accessories and fine collectibles. We had the best of the best. I was the 70th person in this country to sell (Christopher) Radko.
How did Pitty-Pat’s get its name?
Joe Wilkins: When we started out, we were called Country Collection. Then we shifted. When Patsy was a little girl in school, her teacher called her Pitty-Pat. “Gone With the Wind” had an Aunt Pitty-Pat. So she named it after that.
What has been your fondest memory from your years of running Pitty-Pat’s?
Joe Wilkins: We maintained the best merchandise and collectibles. People came from as far away as Lafayette, La., Scottsboro, Ala., Atlanta, Dallas. We had so many people that came and bought Radko from so far away. People knew they could always get the piece they were looking for when they came here … The pine furniture, people loved it. Every piece was made by hand. Back in those days, people would be waiting on the truck and buy it right off the truck. I’ll remember all the people and the good customers we had. That’s what I’ll miss.
Patsy Wilkins: What I enjoyed most was meeting the people and the customers and getting to know them. We met a lot of interesting people and made a lot of good friends. When they come year after year, you get to know people. James Allen came and started his daughter, Elizabeth’s, collection. Now Elizabeth (Swartz) comes and brings her two boys.
Of all the merchandise you’ve carried, have you developed personal favorites among the artists?
Patsy Wilkins: Radko. (His pieces) were handmade and hand-blown and hand-painted in such pretty, bright colors.
Joe Wilkins: (Giuseppe) Armani. His lady (figurines) were beautiful. In every one of them, he had movement and expression. He’s quite an artist. It’s sad that he passed away. Anything he did, he had class with it. We sold so many of those, they sent a lady from Armani in New York to sign pieces.
Why did you decide to close the shop, and what will you do next?
Patsy Wilkins: I’m 75, and my husband is 81. Sugar, it’s about time. I’m tired. We’re going to travel. Joe wants to go to Canada, of all places. Then we’ll go down to Florida. We’ll just visit family and friends.
How are you handling the thought of closing?
Patsy Wilkins: Christmas Eve Day, at the end of the day, we’ll shut our doors forever. Then, we’re not going to look back. I’ve enjoyed it over the years. Our open house is always the first weekend in November. (This year) it was real touching … I had real big tears coming down my cheeks.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 28 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
