The history of Dilly’s began many years ago by the creative husband and wife team of Dillard Harrison, also known as"Dilly", and Sally Anne Clark.
Dillard and Sally at their Salon in Norton, Virginia, 1964.
Dillard and Sally opened their first business together, a hair salon in downtown Norton, Virginia, in 1961. Dressed in offbeat, handmade, frequently matching outfits and sporting mod hairstyles, this cool duo drew much attention in the small town. Clients would visit from many surrounding areas to receive a stylish “Dillan” original cut and color from the creative couple.
In 1970, the Clarks relocated their family including their young daughter Dagney and newborn son David, from Virginia to Kingsport, Tennessee. They opened a family hairdressing salon, Dillard Clark Hairdressing, and quickly gained a reputation for their styling skill and personalized attention to every client.
As artists always exploring new endeavors, in 1983 Dillard and Sally began designing and producing custom knitwear for their hair clients. This expansion necessitated more retail space, and in 1986 they relocated their Shop to the Kingsport Mall on Eastman Road. With a small hair salon on site, Dilly’s also began carrying their hand crafted knitwear, as well as sterling silver jewelry, stones and crystals, obscure books, fragrance oils, exotic incense, and other unusual gift items from around the globe.
When the Kingsport Mall shuttered its doors, Dilly’s moved briefly to Center Street in downtown Kingsport, then to 3009 John B. Dennis Highway in 1990 where the Shop continued to evolve for the next fourteen years. This location was home to the 16 foot Dilly’s Logo Satellite dish that caught the attention of many a traveler on the highway. A Meditation Temple, Drum Circles, Poetry Slams, and even a DillyPalooza Music Festival took place on the grounds.
Sadly in August of 2004, Dillard unexpectedly passed away. It was a shock to everyone who knew and loved the couple. Sally gave ownership and operation of Dilly’s Curiosity Shop to their eldest child, their daughter Dagney, her husband Todd, and their daughter, Dilly’s only Grandchild, Violet. The unique business would continue to remain in the family and be in excellent hands.
Dilly’s Curiosity Shop relocated to its current address in the Green Acres Shopping Center in March of 2007. This established retail space offered more exposure, ample customer parking, and new growth opportunities for Dilly’s. The Shop was energized and refocused, and a new chapter of Dilly’s had begun.
Utilizing the resources of their interests and educational backgrounds in Archaeology, Art, Geology, and Retail Merchandising, Todd and Dagney began moving forward with the landmark business. Dilly’s crystal, mineral, and fossil inventory was greatly expanded, and Dilly’s Curiosity Shop is now known to keep one of the broadest collections of these specimens in the region. Dilly’s fragrance and ritual oil inventory was increased to an inventory of over 200 hand blended proprietary recipes. Custom wire wrapped jewelry is created nearly every day in the Shop. Dilly’s carries over 200 bulk herbs and resins for magical and traditional usage, as well as a large and diverse selection of incenses, jewelry, tapestries, books, and home decor items. Todd, Dagney, and Violet are proud supporters of the local art community and offer a consignment program for area artisans to display and sell their creations.
Today, over 30 years from its inception, this second and third family generation of Dilly’s Curiosity Shop is proud to continue to provide excellent product knowledge, superior customer service. and a vital alternative to big box stores in the area.
Since 1986, Dilly's Curiosity Shop has been Kingsport’s original, authentic, knowledgeable, and reliable source for the unusual and thought-provoking.
Always Family Owned and Operated.
There is only one Dilly‘s.
Thank you for your interest and we hope to see you soon!
Todd, Violet, and Dagney