2012, 2014-2016, 2018
Best Flower Shop
FEATURED STORY FROM THE Best of BG – 2018 ISSUE
Klotz Floral Design and Garden:
A Century of Blooming Business in Bowling Green
Buildings or businesses don’t often survive the test of time. Look for further than the nearly empty space at the corners of Wooster and Mercer streets where Harshman Quadrangle feel victim to the wrecking ball after 54 years. But imagine doing business for 100 years—and what you have is Klotz Floral Design and Garden, located on Napoleon Road. And Klotz has not only simply stayed in business, but it has flourished and thrived, adapting to the changes in the marketplace to be one of the oldest continuously-owned family business in town. “It means a lot to our family personally,” says Gene Klotz. “One hundred years for any business isn’t something you see any more too typically.
One never knows how long it can last.” Klotz represents the third generation of his family to own and operate the business. He understands it takes more than building a business in a community to consistently operate; businesses have to consistently help build the community of which they are a part. Gene’s grandparents, Frank and Mae Klotz, first developed Klotz Floral and Design back in 1918. Celebrating it’s centennial year of operation, the business is making sure to celebrate the real reason for their centennial success, the community of Bowling Green.
So far through the 2018 campaign, Klotz Floral Design and Garden has held a number of events this year to help commemorate their centennial milestone. “Well we’ve been doing different things, not every month. But we had some events in January and February, and in May a family event after Mother’s Day, SpiderMan made a surprise appearance as well,” Klotz said. One of the biggest celebration events Klotz is looking forward to is a September 22 reunion where past and present staff, as well as loyal customers from over the years will have a chance to celebrate the anniversary together.
Gene Klotz is aware that the business would not be where it is today without the loyal following of it’s customers for the past 100 years. Equally important has been the business’ ability to adapt and change over the decades, due in no small part to the preparation of each generation of family that owned the business. When Frank and Mae Klotz first met, they both suffered deafness at a young age. After seven years of marriage, Frank and Mae Klotz opened their business in 1918 where they lived on Napoleon Road. Starting on his mother’s 47-acre farm, Frank and Mae heavily relied on raising chickens for both food and money. Additionally, they would sell vegetables from their truck and raised cows, pigs, and also had a team of horses. Frank’s vegetable garden began to take off for the family, too. Tomatoes were being sold to the large Heinz factory in Bowling Green, maple trees were tapped to make maple syrup, and celery and green peas were grown. The success of the vegetable garden lead to Frank to add floral operations in 1927.
After Frank’s passing in 1937, his son Merle and his wife inherited the family business, followed by Gene and his family. And though the business has been operating for 100 years, nothing is taken for granted and he acknowledges that they have to be open to continually changing in order to succeed. “We are 4th or 5th oldest business in Bowling Green. We got voted Small Business of the Year last year and the Mayor will be making a Proclamation for us at one of the Council meetings in September,” Klotz said. “We’re trying to be aggressive even though we’ve been here this long.” Klotz Floral Design and Garden focuses on both floral and garden services today. Their fresh flower arrangements are offered for any type of occasions such as birthdays, weddings, sympathies, and more. For the garden side of business, Klotz’s offerings range from succulents, annuals and perennials for spring and summer, and caretaking items for plants.
AN ADDITIONAL FEATURED STORY ABOUT KLOTZ CAN BE FOUND IN THE Best of BG – 2013 ISSUE
