She had a career as a nurse, but Pat Dickenson has always been a “picker” at heart. “I love metal and looking for old things… rusty, crusty old wood, and stuff from Europe,” she says. “I love all the architectural stuff.” In the ’90s, the Illinois transplant began selling her treasures at home shows and pop-up markets and doing interior design under her Salvage Co. shingle. She brought her son and daughter-in-law, Rich and Jodi Helmer, into the fold to help, and they set up shop in a few Valley retail hubs before settling into their current location in Village Square at Dana Park in Mesa. Tired of fielding calls from car shops looking for spare parts, Rich insisted on a business name change, and Milagros Rústicos was born.
“We always had a lot of the Mexican flair because a lot of that [furniture] is made from old signs and wood, and they reclaim it,” Jodi says. “That’s just kind of evolved.” Now, the family imports handmade, one-of-a-kind furniture, textiles and art – hand-blown glass, Talavera pottery, punched-tin statues, blankets – from Mexico, Peru and Brazil. “We’re going to start bringing in American Western [pieces], like couches, sofas,” Rich says. “It’s all cowhide, tooled leather. That’s all made in America.”
Also made in America: Rich’s fine-art photography, which has been featured in Arizona Highways and is available for purchase in the boutique, which previously housed a White House Black Market. Dickenson says Rich’s artistic vision shaped the latest evolution of the company and the elevated aesthetic of the gallery-like space. “He’s got the creative eye like crazy,” Jodi agrees.
They’re holding true to their picker roots, but now the family also offers custom furniture with Southwestern flair. “It’s just a little bit different,” Jodi says. “More sophisticated, more bougie.”
– Leah LeMoine
Milagros Rústicos
1660 S. Val Vista Dr., Mesa
480-329-5882,
milagrosrusticos.com
SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES
The Pemberton, an oasis of art and culture nestled in the heart of Downtown Phoenix, reopened this March after a year-long recess. Created by developer Jonathan Vento as an escape from the indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, The Pemberton was initially intended to be a temporary outdoor venue for local restaurants, shops and artists during a time of need. “It was never meant to be permanent, but when we closed, the outpouring from the public made it clear: The Pemberton had become something Phoenix couldn’t afford to lose,” Vento says. “That passion inspired us to reimagine the venue as a lasting cultural hub, and now, we’re back – stronger and more intentional than ever.” Prior to the reopening, more than 25 local artists collaborated on the revamped space, which is anchored by the historical Pemberton House. This summer, The Pemberton is offering weekend day passes to the new day-club-style Ibiza Pool, as well as a new live music and cocktail experience, Black Flamingo, in the 1920s home. 1121 N. Second St., Phoenix, thepemberton.com
– Sommer Bailey
