|
Florist
Dundalk Florist
7233 German Hill Rd
Dundalk, MD 21222
410-282-8787
http://www.dundalkflorist.com
When
it comes to centennial celebrations, we think of a 100-year-old
resident or a town like Essex that had turned 100, but we dont
think of businesses reaching triple digits. Its rare, but Dundalk
Florist Greenhouse and Gifts Inc., located at 7233 German Hill
Road in Dundalk, has reached that milestone. The business started
back in 1910 when farmers Mathilda and Carl Koch needed to support
their nine children, so they decided to grow fresh flowers for
local markets and sold cemetery fresh flowers from a roadside
stand. The florist was original called M.H. Koch & Sons and August
Koch, Sr. took over the business with his mother Mathilda after
Carl died in 1924. The business added wedding, funeral and flowers
for all occasions after it moved to a property that was used as
farmland on German Hill Road in 1924, where the business is still
located today. Mathilda died in 1941 and August Sr. purchased
the business in its entirety from his brothers and sisters. One
year later, the florist changed its name to Dundalk Florist. Not
only has the business lasted over 100 years, but the Koch family
has passed the business down from generation to generation. Today,
Dundalk Florist is owned by August Koch, Jr. and his wife Louise,
and operated by their daughters Cindy Morrison, Mary McWilliams
and Lynn Hershner who are the fourth generation of the family.
According to Morrison, a business must meet the community needs
and change with the times. We have seen a lot change over the
years. In the early 2000s, we developed our web site and had our
first online order request five minutes after we launched the
site, she said. Dundalk Florist supplies the community with flowers
all-year-round with its multiple greenhouses that encompass over
8,500 square feet. Bedding plants, poinsettias and fall mums are
among the many types of flowers available. In addition, Dundalk
Florist offers more than just flowers. Inside the florist is a
gift shop that provides snack, fruit and gourmet baskets. There
are also candles, greeting cards, balloons, stuffed toys and a
large selection of angels for sale. I dont think our great-grandmother
(Mathilda) would have expected it (her business) to be around
100 years later, Hershner added. Im sure she would be very proud.
While Dundalk Florist has passed the operation between generations,
Dundalk Florist customers have passed the tradition of shopping
at Dundalk Florist from generation to generation. We have a lot
of people that come and get flowers for their kids weddings and
tell us they got flowers from us for their wedding, McWilliams
said with a smile. The 100th Year Celebration takes place all
year long. Dundalk Florist will hold drawings throughout the year.
So will Dundalk Florist be around for another 100 years? That
depends on the decisions of the fifth generation.
Click on the paper above to visit our Digital
Edition
|
