Forty-four years ago, when Stephanie Mann of Morrison, IL, was 15, she began working in her mother’s florist shop after school and on Saturdays. Ruthie Hayenga owned Wilson Greenhouse & Florists at 103 N. Heaton and W. Main Street, Morrison. On Saturday, November 30, 2019, Mann closed the building which had become too much for her to tend.
Three days later, she began doing funeral pieces in a back room at Fitzgerald Pharmacy, 124 E. Main Street. A week later, she began floral designs.
It was this action that had prompted owner Luke Vander Bleek to seek Mann’s talents. He had suggested she create floral designs he could sell from his building. That was an appealing idea for the talented designer.
There were modifications that had to be made, and there are more to come. A cooler is in the workroom, but one for display will be placed in the west, front area of the pharmacy. Mann also needs a counter for customers to place orders and sign gift cards. She would like a.table and chairs to confer with clients in the front area, too, about larger floral projects like funerals and weddings.
Her services will remain “everything we did at Wilson: live plants, bouquets, arrangements, fresh loose flowers, weddings, showers, and funeral pieces. We will deliver.” There is a Help Wanted notice to attract an assistant.
Her current hours are Monday-through-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to noon. Call Fitzgerald Floral at 815-772-3415.
The most gratifying news about this enterprising business collaboration is “We still delivery smiles!” noted Stephanie Mann. That will make many area residents smile.
