Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Business topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Addison Floral celebrates 50 years serving Addison community
Summary
Addison Floral marked its 50th anniversary this October. Owner Larry Bolden recounted starting in a high-school greenhouse program, training at Chicago Floral Arts and keeping local customers through decades of change, from strip-mall days to online ordering.
Addison Floral marked its 50th anniversary in October with customers and family gathering at the shop in JC Plaza.
Owner Larry Bolden traced the shop’s roots to his time in high school horticulture in 1968 and subsequent training, saying he took design classes at Chicago Floral Arts in Wabash before opening a florist with a partner in Addison in October 1975. “I was in high school, '68, and was looking for a work program,” Bolden recalled, describing how the greenhouse work and later courses led to a career in floral design.
The shop has moved within Addison over the decades—from a spot next to the Pink Pony in the original strip mall to its current location after a Walgreens moved into the former block about 25 years ago—but Bolden said long-term relationships with customers kept the business steady. “It’s the personal touch, and I think that’s why we’ve been able to be here for 50 years: we’ve given good service, quality product, and fair pricing,” he said.
Bolden described a decades-long partnership with Addison Trail High School’s horticulture program, which he said ran for about 45 years and supplied staff and fundraising support. He also noted the shop’s participation in local flower shows, including the VFW event and an Addison Trails flower show, and recalled crafting a full wedding dress of fresh flowers for a client.
The shop retains artifacts from its history, including an old icebox cooler and a faded FTD logo on the floor; Bolden said he worked with FTD for 25 years and now uses Teleflora. A plaque congratulating the store on 50 years sits on the counter.
Family and longtime customers joined a surprise luncheon in the shop. Bolden named his wife, Kathy, daughters and other relatives among those who surprised him; village representatives also offered congratulations.
The visit closed with the host identifying herself as Lucille Zuccaro and noting the shop’s role in town events such as weekly Rockin’ Wheels gatherings and other community activities.
