Alice Felton, Owner of Dean's Store, Passes Away

WOODSTOCK, GA -- The woman who allowed the city of Woodstock to use her historic business to serve as its visitors center has passed away.

Alice Dean Felton, 95, who owned the historic Dean's Store at 8588 Main Street, died Friday, Jan. 20.

Felton's vision for the outpost began in 1981 following her father's passing. She decided to preserve the history of the store "instead of leasing the space to a new business," Main Street Woodstock said on its Facebook page.

For two decades, Dean's Store served as the local hangout spot for "old retired guys" where they discussed the news of the day, the agency added. Felton also kept all of the store's original products on the shelves.

In 2001, Felton wanted to reopen the store to the public as a museum where residents can learn about her family as well as the city's history.

Felton proposed her idea to the city of Woodstock and, as the saying goes, the rest is history.

Since opening in 2001, the Woodstock Visitors Center at Dean's Store has welcomed more than 86,000 people and in 2016 alone, the facility recorded 14,397 visitors.

"One of the highlights for Visitors Center staff was when Alice would visit the store to talk about the history of the building and ask how visitors were enjoying the space," Main Street Woodstock said. "It was a true pleasure to know Alice and an honor to work in the historic space that Alice Dean Felton helped save."

Funeral services have been announced for Saturday, Jan. 29, Main Street Woodstock noted. Woodstock Funeral Home is organizing Felton's arrangements and details are forthcoming.

Image via city of Woodstock