Where It All Started.

Elton grew up in Hughson and Wilma grew up in Turlock. In his early years, Elton attended MJC and then got his Electrical Engineering degree from Heald’s College in San Francisco. He then worked for the Turlock Irrigation District until joining the Navy at the outbreak of WWII, working with electrical and electronic equipment.

The Growth Of The Business.

The business grew quickly and in 1953 Elton purchased property at 116 West Orangeburg Ave, just off McHenry Ave, which at the time was in the outskirts of Modesto, with orchards and farms all around. The brand new 4,000 square foot new facility allowed him to add more electricians, TV services, antenna installations, a salesman and a manager, plus “two girls” in the office.

Prominent TV, Stereo And Appliance Store.

Over the course of the coming decades, Phillips Electric became highly regarded in the area. During the 1950’s and 60’s Phillips Electric became a prominent TV, Stereo & Appliance store. It was known as much for those products as it was for lighting fixtures and lamps. Phillips sold the first color TVs and Hi-Fi Stereo consoles in Modesto!

The Lighting Side Takes Hold.

Over the years, as the retail landscape changed through the 70’s and 80’s, appliances and the TV/Stereo departments were slowly phased out and the lighting side of the business continued to grow. 

It’s A Family Affair.

Chuck Arnold and Karen Phillips Arnold (Elton & Wilma’s daughter) joined the business in 1988. Chuck built the business to become a supplier to many local subdivision builders, at one time running five delivery trucks throughout the region.

Carrie Arnold, Chuck & Karen’s daughter joined the business in 1999, the same year that Jerry retired. Phillips was on its way to being a 3-generation company.

Introducing Phillips Lighting And Home 

In 2000 it was decided to change the name of the business to Phillips Lighting and Home to better reflect the type of store it had become.

A Landmark Lighting Showroom.

Business was booming. Because of growth goals and space constraints in the Orangeburg location, the decision was made move to a much larger building in McHenry Village. The site was the former home of New Deal supermarket and had remained empty for several years. After an extensive remodel, Phillips moved into the Village in 2002. The new showroom was a landmark lighting showroom in the US and ranked amongst the largest.

A Shining Light.

In 2005, Phillips Lighting & Home won the national ARTS award for Best Lighting Showroom, Western Region. During this decade Chuck & Carrie continued to become more involved in the lighting industry. Chuck was on American Lighting Association committees and was instrumental in starting, Lighting One, a co-op for independently owned lighting showrooms in the US and Canada.

Lighting The Way.

The new 9,000 square foot facility provides an ideal size showroom and still can display over 100 ceiling fans, extensive indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures, as well as accent furniture, cabinet hardware, mirrors, and home décor. Looking to the present, Phillips is privileged to have many experienced employees who have remained with us for years, with several employees going as far back as the Orangeburg location!

Here’s to the next 75 years!

You will still see Chuck and Karen in the showroom occasionally, along with Carrie and the rest of their helpful staff.