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"If we don't take off in the next 20 minutes, we'll be staying in West Palm Beach for the night." Not exactly the message I hoped to hear mere hours before I was scheduled to leave on my first business trip for SAF. Fortunately, though, the weather cooperated and I was on my way for a brief, but revealing tour through the Midwest.
Over the year and a half I have worked for SAF, I've heard so many great stories about our members including innovative sales techniques, clever shop designs, and expansive fields of fresh flowers. I finally got my chance to get into the field for a firsthand view of the industry, and I'm happy to share it with you.
Monday - June 7, Chicago
After leaving the 90-degree heat of Florida, I craved some cooler temperatures, which Chicago gladly provided. I started off my day with a trip to Kennicott Brothers Co., a wholesale florist that was founded in 1881. Red Kennicott, AAF, a former SAF president, welcomed me into his headquarters for a quick tour, where they do a large walk in business for your typical wholesale florist, before we headed out to visit a few of his retailer customers.
Our first stop was Ashland Addison Florist, where I got to see the Chicago delivery pool in action. In order to reach customers out of their immediate area, Ashland Addison offers three delivery pools in Chicago.
From there we moved onto A New Leaf Florist, where owner Marion Perry fills her downtown shop with youthful energy from the local arts institute. She employs some students as designers in the shop. Later that day, I stopped in City Scents Flowers & Gifts and marveled as owners Pat and Theresa Montana kept up with the steady walk-in business generated by foot traffic on and around Michigan Avenue-the Windy City's main drag.
Tuesday - June 8
Tuesday morning began with a trip to Phillip's Flowers corporate offices in Westmont, Ill. With 10 shops and deliveries to 150 suburbs, Phillip's is one of the larger retailers in the Chicago area. Phillip's, like many other SAF members, is family-run and has been for nearly 90 years.
Then, I was off to the growing side of our industry. I made a stop by Leider Greenhouses in Buffalo Grove, Ill. to visit their greenhouses that specializes in potted and bedding plants. Mark Leider showed me around the production area and explained the high amount of technology they use in the process.
On the way up to Milwaukee I stopped by a peony farm that is owned by Kennicott Brothers Co., in southern Wisconsin. They had recently finished harvesting the peonies but Red's granddaughter, Page, who is working at the farm for the summer, gave me a private tour of the location.
Wednesday - June 9
Before heading back to DC on Wednesday evening, I had the pleasure of spending the day with former SAF board member Tina Rojahn, of Rojahn and Malaney Wholesale Florist in Milwaukee. She introduced me to four retail florists: Phil and Monique Krainz of Roses Flower Shop, Nikki Lemler of Welkes Flowers, Linda and Mindy of Jess Fleur Fun, and Marty and Jane Loppnow of Waukesha Floral and Greenhouses. These four shops revealed a range of business tactics-from catering to a small community to operating in a large nursery setting.
All of our members were great hosts and let me see the real, personal side of their businesses. There is nothing that can replace seeing our members in action firsthand and this trip surely let me do that. Thanks to all I visited for taking time from your work day for me.
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