The Society of American Florists celebrated the longevity of four floral industry businesses with the SAF Century Award during SAF Maui 2016, the association’s 132nd Annual Convention in Maui, Hawaii. Presented on Sept. 24, the honor recognizes companies that have been in business for 100 years or more.
“Each year at the SAF convention, all of us interact with fellow business owners who have determination, vision and grit,” said SAF Awards Committee Chairman David Gaul, AAF, of DWF Wholesale Florist in Denver, Colorado, during the awards presentation. “But to sustain that for 100 years or more is truly an impressive feat.”
The 2016 Century Award honorees are:
- Imlay Florists in Zanesville, Ohio
- Jacques Flower Shop & Garden Center Inc., in Manchester, New Hampshire
- Schneider’s Florist in Springfield, Ohio
- Welke’s Milwaukee Florist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
About Imlay Florists
Imlay Florists has been located in the same building in downtown Zanesville since 1906. The founder of the business, William Smith Imlay, was born in New Jersey and drove a team of horses to Ohio in 1834, when he was just 13 years old. William started a tree nursery in New Concord; his son, John Dillon Imlay, eventually took over and then transformed the business into a floral shop. John also moved the business to downtown Zanesville. In 1914, John’s son, Manning Vincent “Cap” Imlay, the first member of the family to be professionally trained in floriculture, was named manager of the shop. After Manning died in 1969, John David Imlay took over. Today, John’s son, Dave, is the current owner and represents the fifth generation.
Earlier this year, to celebrate the shop’s 175th anniversary, Dave and his team pulled out all the stops, with giveaways, promotions, a “family reunion” of past staff — even a visit from the mayor. Dave and his, wife, Katie, divide their time between the shop and a 70-acre tree farm in Blue Rock, which the couple bought more than 10 years ago to grow Christmas trees.
About Jacques Flower Shop & Garden Center Inc.
Nancy and Paul Godbout, Jacques Flower and Garden Center in Manchester, N.H.
Mill worker O. Raoul Jacques started Jacques Flower Shop in 1910 as a small greenhouse behind three tenement homes. In 1924, his 16-year-old daughter Colombe left school and started taking the train to Boston each day to study floral design. She soon opened a flower shop in the basement of one of the tenements, selling hand-tied bouquets. In 1950, she met her husband, Larry Lagasse, and together they ran the business for the next 24 years, moving to a larger location in the process. Then, in 1974, after the birth of his second child, Paul Godbout went to Jacques to buy flowers for his wife, Nancy. Upon learning that the shop was for sale, the Godbouts purchased the small but promising business.
Since then, the Godbouts have expanded and moved to a 7,000-square-foot building with greenhouses. Today, it is a $1 million-plus retail florist. Their daughter and son, Aimee and Adam, are the next generation owners and Haley, a third-generation granddaughter, works there part-time while attending college.
About Schneider’s Florist
Kathy Ardle of Schneider’s Florist in Springfield, Ohio.
Founded by Glenna Schneider in 1912, Schneider’s Florist was originally located in the central business district of downtown Springfield, Ohio. In 1946, Denny Tsugranes purchased the business after returning from World War II and moved the shop closer to Ferncliff Cemetery.
The current owners, Kathy and Bill Ardle, bought the business in 1971; 14 years later, they moved the business again, this time to a major state highway— into a building that, coincidentally, originally housed a different flower shop, but had since been used by an insurance company and pizza chain. When the Ardles moved into the building, they felt it had been restored to its original purpose.
Kathy and Bill both graduated from The Ohio State University (OSU) where they studied under Department of Horticulture Professor D.C. Kiplinger, a member of the Society of American Florists’ Floriculture Hall of Fame. Before buying Schneider’s, Bill worked for Ulery Greenhouse, also in Springfield, and Kathy worked for Catron Greenhouses, whose owner, Bob Catron, discovered the “Better Times” red rose during the Great Depression. Aaron Ardle, the Ardles’ son, also is active in the business and will be taking over the business with the help of his wife Carol.
About Welke’s Milwaukee Florist
Nikki and Steve Lemler of Welke’s Milwaukee Florist in Milwaukee.
Founded by Emil Welke as the E. Welke Company Welke’s Milwaukee Florist (formerly Welke’s House of Roses), the company has been family-owned and operated ever since that founding in 1901. Emil immigrated from Germany to Milwaukee, with hopes to continue his profession as a grower. After opening Welke’s first location, near downtown Milwaukee, he founded two greenhouses on the city’s northwest side.
An innovative thinker and tireless grower, Emil won many prizes for his geraniums and is credited with introducing the cyclamen to the Midwest. One of his most lasting and poignant contributions to the industry, however, may have been the establishment of the family’s long-lasting business.
Today, Welke’s is run by the family’s fifth generation, headed by the current owner, David Lang. The business now has two locations and a satellite business in an area hospital. Last year, the shop rebranded itself from Welke’s House of Roses to Welke’s Milwaukee Florist to better reflect its extensive range of services and products. David’s daughter, Nikki Lemler, will be inducted to the American Academy of Floriculture this year during SAF Maui 2016.
