Eileen Weber, AAF, and her father, John Looby, AAF, are throwing a party to celebrate their shop’s 100th anniversary.
After a year of planning — and many decades of tireless work — the staff of Lake Forest Flowers is ready to party.
The Lake Forest, Illinois, shop turned 100 this year. Father and daughter co-owners John Looby, AAF, and Eileen Weber, AAF, invited the community to celebrate Saturday, October 14, with refreshments, design demonstrations and photo opportunities with the shop’s 1929 Ford Model A Woody Wagon.
“I never thought I’d see this day,” said Looby, who purchased the shop in 1981. “We waited for a major milestone for our first ever anniversary party.”
Every guest will receive a rose and can indulge in brownies, cookies and apple cider while they browse the shop, currently decorated with fall and Christmas décor. For entertainment and education, Weber will lead presentations on how to make hand-tied bouquets, arrangements in pumpkins and floral jewelry for homecoming dances.
“Most of our customers call in orders, so it will be fun for them to have the opportunity to visit with us face-to-face and actually see what goes on here,” said Looby.
The event will also include a cake cutting and wine toast, complete with much reminiscing.
Lake Forest Flowers has enjoyed significant new coverage leading up to the party. All the local papers have featured stories about the shop’s longevity, touting its community involvement and expertise picking the perfect gift.
“We talked to reporters about how we work with people from the beginning of life to death and that we have the expertise to help people express their emotions,” Looby said. “We also emphasized that we grew up in this town and know our customers personally.”
Additionally, the shop received an official proclamation from the mayor, which was televised.
Looby and Weber have kept advertising costs low, sticking primarily to email marketing and social media posts. They also participated in the 4th of July and Lake Forest Day parades, during which they displayed a banner with the centennial celebration’s details, and posted a large sign outside the shop.
Read more about Eileen’s contributions to her business and her community.
