I hear her before I see her. The first thing Lynda Kilgore says to me as I enter the narrow, trinket-lined hallway of Miss. Dallas’ Shop is: “Welcome!”
Indeed, the shop is abuzz on this frigid December morning: just around the corner, Lynda is seated at an enormous desk that is part check-out station, part display shelf. She is occupied hand-wrapping items for two visitors, while a third sits in one of the chairs opposite her, chatting freely. The room appears to defy logic, with seasonal décor – including twinkling lights, wreaths, potted pine, ceramic Christmas trees, jewelry, and much more – covering every square inch of space from floor to ceiling. It is a scene not unlike one from a Dr. Suess book, where precarious pilings of impossible things remind you that beauty and chaos are often one and the same.
The second thing Lynda says to me is, “Look how beautiful you are!”
Over the next hour, I learn that this is Lynda’s way – to uplift people with her kindness and to welcome every visitor into the shop as a friend.
A Journey of Faith and Perseverance
Lynda's path to opening Miss Dallas' Shop in February 2016 was anything but straightforward. For 45 years, she ran Data Signal, a thriving electronics manufacturing company she'd started at age 24 without even a high school diploma. Through determination, mentorship, and what Lynda calls "winging it with passion," she built a successful business that supported over a hundred employees.
Then came the 2008 recession. By 2010, Lynda and her husband Jerry (“Gee”) had suffered devastating economic losses. By 2015, the couple found themselves on the brink of homelessness, selling everything they owned just to make mortgage payments. An IRS audit added to the overwhelming pressure.
But looking back now, Lynda sees divine purpose in those trials. "We hadn’t been listening: we needed to use our ability to make people happy, and this shop was the venue to do that."
A Rescue's Legacy
The shop's name honors Miss Dallas, a handicapped German Shepherd the couple rescued as an adult. The dog arrived unable to climb stairs, requiring Gee to carry her 95-pound frame up and down daily. But after three months of love and patient care, Miss Dallas climbed those stairs on her own – a transformation that profoundly shaped Lynda's worldview.
"Love and kindness can cure sickness, can cure evil, can bring light into someone's eyes," Lynda reflects. "She brought light into ours, and we brought light into hers." Though Miss Dallas passed after just 21 months with the couple, her legacy lives on in every interaction at the shop that bears her name.
A Treasure Trove of Discovery
Miss Dallas' Shop defies simple categorization. Every room bursts with possibility: pressed glass bowls catch the light, vintage jewelry sparkles in display cases, seasonal decorations overflow from shelves, and local artisans' creations sit alongside carefully curated consignment pieces.
Lynda represents 29 local artisans ranging from teenagers to octogenarians, charging them lower commissions than regular consignors, with even gentler rates for seniors. Veterans, teachers, and healthcare workers always receive 10% off. Unlike most consignment shops, Lynda keeps items until they sell – no arbitrary time limits.
The eclectic inventory spans from modern to classic, bohemian to rustic. You might find Kirks Folly sequined pieces – like the cat-eye glasses Lynda herself wears – antique Italian tables, handcrafted ornaments, retro kitchenware, and much more. Above Lynda’s desk hangs a large decorative heart created by a local artisan over a decade ago – a piece Lynda refuses to sell despite daily requests. It's a memorial to Elizabeth, a beloved customer and nurse who was killed by a drunk driver just four months after her wedding.
More Than a Shop
What truly sets Miss Dallas' Shop apart isn't the merchandise, but the atmosphere. Coffee and homemade treats are always available. Lynda often has a prayer bowl on her desk, though the list of people she prays for has grown so long she now simply tells God, "You know who I'm praying for."
Customers don't just browse; they linger, they share their struggles, they find solace. "We hear so much sorrow," Lynda says. "Sometimes people need food, they're hungry. Sometimes it's just listening." Her husband Gee, always nearby, provides the grounding presence. More cautious and discerning, he’s there to protect and maintain order.
Friends and community members help keep operations going, including Shawn, who helps maintain the displays and Roy, the handyman and friend always willing to lend his expertise. Lynda notes that the landlord of the space, Lou D’Amato, has been integral for their growth over the last decade.
Giving Back
The Kilgores' commitment to charitable giving reflects Lynda's fundamental belief in living a faith-driven life. Lynda, Gee, and Miss Dallas’ Shop began their philanthropic outreach in 2023, ultimately donating more than $20,000 to Milford Food 2 Kids and other local charities by the end of 2024.
Their innovative "Dumpster Dive" program has become a beloved community event. Three secured containers hold quality donated items – everything from Chico's shawls to vintage jewelry. For a flat bag price ranging from $30 to $50, customers can treasure hunt through these bins, with half the proceeds benefiting charity.
The shop hosts two major annual events: the Holiday Shopping Extravaganza the Saturday after Thanksgiving (complete with Santa Claus, gourmet hors d'oeuvres, and 886 attendees in 2025) and an August barbecue. This year, Lynda plans to add a third event on her 70th birthday, March 14th. “I do not want gifts,” she says. “I want to celebrate with my friends.” The event will be called “Miss Dallas’ Shop Eggstravaganza,” to welcome Easter and spring.
A Vision of Community
Open for 11 years, Miss Dallas’ Shop invites its customers to briefly step back in time, stirring nostalgia at every corner with its curated treasures, warm welcomes, and intimate chatter.
"You enter as a stranger, you leave as a friend," reads one of the many signs gifted by customers over the years, and it's a motto Lynda lives by every single day. The walls are adorned with messages from patrons: "Milford's Little Secret," "Sprinkle Kindness Around Like Confetti." These aren't marketing slogans – they are reflections of a community that has found something rare in today's retail landscape: a place where connection matters more than commerce.
"My rearview mirror is broken," Lynda says with characteristic directness at the end of our conversation. "I don’t look back. I look at every day as an opportunity to do one more thing."
Miss Dallas' Shop was voted Best Consignment Shop in 2025 by the Milford Chamber of Commerce and by CT Insider/The New Haven Register. They are located at 16 Higgins Dr.
"We hadn’t been listening: we needed to use our ability to make people happy, and this shop was the venue to do that."