For almost 50 years, it’s been a staple in downtown Washington.

Nothing over-the-top, but yet quaint and beautiful, Lillian’s Beauty Salon has had a stream of customers, important dignitaries and next-door neighbors alike, pass through its doors on East Main Street.

With owner Lillian Phillips at the helm, and still a fixture in the salon decades after its opening, the beauty salon was propelled to success with a combination of hard work, a little flexibility and dedication.

Phillips is no stranger to hard work. During childhood, Phillips used to make money by splitting stumps and selling them door-to-door during the cold months — a nickel per bunch.

The Beaufort County native worked at Woolworth’s for eight years, then the night shift at National Spinning Co., attending beauty school during the day.

Phillips proudly said despite her little time for sleep, she juggled all that plus raising a family with four children (Russell, Ramos, Norman and Phyllis). After beauty school, she had a job lined up working for Buddy Harrell’s shop in Washington.

“When I was growing up, I always had a lot of obligations or responsibilities that my mother gave me to do,” she said, explaining how she inherited her hardworking nature.

While she didn’t mind working, Phillips said she wanted to have her own place. With her innate business savvy, spanning all the way back to the 5-cent wood bunches, Phillips opened her own salon on Hackney Avenue for seven years.

Then, in 1967, she moved to her current location in downtown Washington. Phillips said she’s seen the definition of a “beauty salon” change over the years, with the opening of the more-specific nail and tanning salons.

But with a little flexibility, Phillips is able to adapt to the changes and remain relevant in today’s market.

Sons Russell and Ramos Manning help her out, too, and operate their own stations at Lillian’s, along with granddaughter Melissa Manning.

“I’ve met some very nice people,” Phillips said. “I feel like I’ve done (styled), when I get to talking, all of Washington.”

From the pin curls of the ‘50s to the poofs of the ‘80s, and now the sleek styles of today, Phillips has seen it all.

She has no intention of retiring, either, but rather wants to do what she loves for as long as she can — giving confidence and making a difference in her own way.