WHITING - Whiting Flower Shop, a mainstay in Northwest Indiana providing flowers to the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary and other parishes, families, and businesses throughout the Diocese of Gary, is at a crossroads in its more than century-old history.
With mixed emotions and prayerful consideration, owner Connie Salas hopes to pass the torch to a new generation and embrace a well-deserved retirement. She wants to spend time with grandchildren, continue volunteering at church and relax at her daily pace. She envisions selling her beloved business to an entrepreneurial individual or team with fresh innovative ideas. She said Oct. 24 that she has a potential buyer who is waiting for a loan to go through.
Father Martin Dobrzynski, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville, recognizes the innovative and thoughtful service Salas has provided to the diocese. So much so, the diocese will have difficulty finding a replacement, he emphasized.
“She is so creative and sensitive to the needs of everyone she provides flowers for, whether it is a bride or someone who has lost a loved one,” he said. “She just knows what to do. For the cathedral, she provides such nice big arrangements. She is very, very generous to us.”
Father Martin Dobrzynski hopes she can sell the business to an ideal candidate. “Finding the right person would be a reward of sorts for all her hours and dedication,” he said. “It has really been a calling for her, a vocation if you will; she has always loved what she does.”
A parishioner for 47 years, Salas was in charge of the Arts and Environment ministry at St. Michael and spent time working in two different floral shops before she and husband Bill decided 30 years ago that she should run her own floral business. Her spouse of 55 years passed away in March.
“Her desire to own a floral shop grew out of her enjoyment of doing the arts and environment work,” said Father Dobrzynski, noting the importance of her husband in Salas’ floral career. “Her husband was a great support to her. He didn’t work in the business per say, but was always so supportive.”
Salas said her faith and love of God have gotten her through the challenges of life and made her who she is. “This has been a prayerful journey. I have lit many a candle for this and asked the Lord to send someone to help me,” she said.
The ideal new owner, according to Salas, will have a love for floral design, fresh approach to merchandising, some tech-savviness, and a knack for marketing, while continuing to offer Whiting Floral Shop’s enchanting blossoms, expert craftsmanship, and kind service.
“Expressing your feelings through fresh flowers is a timeless art. It’s a way to help people express their emotions. This has been a cherished passion of mine for so long. I am tired now. I am going to remain in the area, stay busy with Church and with family,” she said.
In addition to spearheading the Arts and Environment ministry, Salas has been an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at St. Michael for 36 years, member of the RCIA team, member of the building committee, catechist, minister of care and more. She plans to continue to volunteer, as well as spend time in Illinois and Wisconsin with family.
She has been a fixture at St. Michael, as Whiting Flower Shop has been a fixture in The Region since its origins in 1900 as a simple horse-drawn flower cart. Recognized as the fourth-oldest continuously-operating florist in the country, the shop has held the distinction of FTD Master Florist for more than a decade.
“We’ve been so busy I can’t keep up the pace of my younger self anymore,” said the 77-year-old mother and grandmother of two. “We have a good team here working with accounts we’ve had for decades, so I don’t want to close a 123-year-old floral business down just because I need a break.”
In addition to providing exquisite arrangements for funerals and parties for people and parishes, such as Holy Angels, St. Michael, Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville, and St. James the Less in Highland, Whiting Florist has done regular business with large corporations including BP and two area casinos. Her four vehicles can often make more than 30 deliveries a day.
“I’ve always tried to provide a good deal and I’d like to negotiate a good deal with a new owner. It’s been such a blessing,” she added. “The diocese and its bishops are so special to me. Since people found out I am selling, they just stop in and tell stories. They have such fond memories and have always been pleased with our flowers.”
Caption: Connie Salas, owner of Whiting Flower shop, is seen here after Mass on Oct. 8 at St Michael the Archangel in Schererville where she serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. The 77-year-old mother of two and grandmother of two hopes to sell her business to an ideal candidate who loves flowers and serving others. (Lynda J. Hemmerling photo)