Located in the heart of Advent Christian Village, Phillips Center provides a wide variety of important services in a recently renovated space that is beautiful, practical and versatile. In a nod to the past, room names correspond to places that existed nearby in the early 1900s. Lining the walls are historical photos of Dowling Park at the turn of the century, through the early years of ACV. Also along the primary corridor, known as “Main Street,” a more modern touch features several flat screen monitors that provide information about upcoming events. Main Street leads from Village apartment buildings to Phillips Center.
Phillips Center includes the Ann & Quinton Rumph Dining Room, where delicious meals are served seven days a week. Across the beautifully appointed dining room are additional dining spaces. One is dubbed the Sawmill Room in honor of Dowling Park founder Thomas Dowling’s lumber mill. The other is named the Depot Room in honor of the train depot that served passengers that rode the Live Oak, Perry & Gulf (LOP&G) railroad to Dowling Park. These spaces are used for smaller banquets, parties, seminars and Artist Series events. They can be left as separate rooms, or the interior walls can be folded back and hidden, enlarging the capacity of Rumph Dining Room to 350.
Along Main Street is an art gallery, where residents display their artistic talents, and the Lopin’ Gopher Deli (386-658-5259) which offers a daily menu of made-to-order soups, salads, sandwiches and more, as well as a selection of grab-and-go items. The deli was named for the LOP&G railroad that served Dowling Park from the turn of the century through the 1950s. The train ride was rather jerky, due to uneven tracks, reminding passengers of the rocking gate of gopher turtles, prompting them to dub the train “The Loping Gopher.” Patrons can order food at the deli counter and enjoy it at the adjacent Horton’s Landing, a casual dining area named for the old Dowling Park ferry landing.
At the end of Phillips Center’s Main Street is the J. Ralph Smith Center, which includes the Information Center (386-658-3333) and the Member Services (386-658-5400) office suite.
