Co-Ed Flowers & Gifts has withstood the test of time as a 92-year-old staple in the City of Sault Ste Marie, offering colorful floral arrangements and bouquets since 1930.
When it came time to move into a new location around Thanksgiving, owner Annette Shilts had mixed feelings of reservation and gratitude.
“I really did want to stay in the other store downtown because we have always been there,” she said about the 538 block structure now up for sale. “My parents bought the store in 1980 and moved into that building in 1981.”
40 years later, the flower shop has changed locations yet again.
As the shining epinome of a true staple, its embedded community values have remained.
Shilts and her floral staff have moved into a business space owned by Clearly Rentals, next to The Wicked Sister on Ashmun St.
It was one of the three recipients of the Economic and Preservation Award at the 133rd Sault Area Chamber of Commerce Meeting and Awards Banquet last month.
“Co-Ed Flowers and Clearly Rentals were recognized for following the roadmap of success,” said Downtown Development Authority Director (DDA) Tony Cutler, who presented the award. “Cleary spent time, energy and money to rehab their building to keep a 90-year-old business in operations downtown. That joint effort preserved the Sault brand.”
Regular floral shop functions required space and modifications for delivery needs, so not just any building would do. Cleary Rentals allowed Shilts to make the changes needed.
“We wanted to have a back door, which we will be able to do with the grant,” said Shilts, a $25,000 Match on Main grant recipient. “We are going to put in a door on the side of the building too.”
Prior to the start of the new year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan businesses received approximately $1.1 million in small business grants through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The city’s DDA office selected the florist’s application to be considered.
“We want to put a small greenhouse in the back,” said Shilts, patiently awaiting the sun’s warmth to melt winter snow. “I would like to have it open by the end of May.”
Shilts’s floral workshops will be making a comeback soon, along with a weekly special called “Friday’s Fabulous Flowers” to feature a different flower every Friday.
Florists will be hanging flower baskets and plants outside upon spring arrival. There will be annuals and perennials available to choose from.
The shop is an indoor garden of peace lilies, palms, split leaf philodendrons, cacti, succulents, sands of aerial snake plants and many more.
“We have some dedicated buyers who will come in twice a week and see things they had never seen before,” said Shilts. “Plant collectors like the alocasias and calatheas. Whenever we have a new variety, we try to get it for them.”
Roses, carnations, hydrangeas, lilies, dahlias and other flowers brighten the room.
“We get locally grown peonies and sunflowers,” she added. “We also have locally grown lavender. We get our candles locally as well.”
As a Sault native, nearby vendors and businesses are two things Shilts treasures deep within her heart.
“I remember coming downtown back in the 60s,” she said. “They had a Christmas tree in the middle of Ashmun Street. I would come into town with my mom and grandmother. It was always exciting. We had to put our skirts on when going shopping on Fridays.”
While certain traditions may have faded, Shilts and Clearly Rentals have seen to it that Co-Ed flowers & Gifts remain fastened in its birthplace of Sault Ste. Marie, embracing a new home on 724 Ashmun St.
Its hours of operations are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m.
