By Sheryl Roadcap

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PIQUA — GeNell’s Flowers, a beloved Piqua staple, is celebrating a milestone of 75 years in business this weekend.

GeNell’s Flowers has served Piqua and Miami County since it was established in 1949, originally owned by founder GeNell Horner, and then was acquired in 1982 by the same family who still runs it today and for the last 40 years. The business has been in its same brick and mortar location at 300 E. Ash St. in Piqua since the 1970s.

“We are so proud that we’ve been able to be here. We are just a small business, and there has been a lot of people that my parents did their wedding, and now we are doing their kids’ weddings,” said Co-Owner Casey (Casto) Virgallito.

Virgallito’s father Mark Casto purchased the flower shop from Horner in 1982, and eventually his wife Kim took the reins, while he ventured more into the landscaping side of his business. Once Kim was ready to retire in 2021, Casey took over the business. Then in January 2024, Virgallito’s cousin Mindi (Eernisse) Hixson officially joined as a co-owner.

Virgallito said she had worked at the shop for six-seven years prior to her mother’s retirement, and as with Hixson, had always been in and out of the shop growing up there. But both women admitted after taking other career paths and living in other cities and states, they recognized (separately, at different times) they wanted to make a change in their careers. They always loved being around flowers and in flower shops and felt coming back to Piqua to work at GeNell’s was the right move.

Virgallito and Hixson say they love to share in all their customers’ special moments of life.

“We always say we are in the business of emotions,” Hixson said.

Whether it be celebrating the highs of life or grieving during difficult times, Virgallito and Hixson said, “It’s not just about the flowers. It’s the special events in life, we get to be part and help (our customers) celebrate and be part of their lives.”

“Working in this business, you see the good and bad times working with people. We are very grateful to be here and proud to be here in the good times, and help bring comfort during grieving,” Hixson said. “We just love our customers. We always try to make their experience as positive as possible, whatever the reason is that we are working with them.”

When asked about some of the most memorable moments they have experienced, they recalled a time when a couple of gentlemen, who did not know each other, were in to buy flowers for their wives. The younger man, Hixson said, was looking for flowers for his wife who had just given birth, and the other man was attempting to cheer up his wife, who had not been feeling well. By the end of their time in the shop, the two men appeared to have bonded, with the older gentleman requesting to “take care of” the younger man’s bill. Hixson said it was touching.

Another memorable time they recalled was when a young man was buying flowers for his girlfriend, of whom he was about to propose. Hixson said he appeared nervous and they cheered him on.

Also, the resilience of their business being able to make it through COVID-19 is something Virgallito is another standout event she proud of. It was difficult during that time, she said — even after they were able to reopen for business.

“Making it through COVID. I am very proud that we made it through that; being closed, supply chain issues …,” said Virgallito.

“There are a few things that are really special about GeNell’s Flowers,” said Hixson. “The first is that, while we are a Teleflora florist and we can send things over our network, and there are a couple Teleflora products on our website, but for the most part, all of the designs you see on our website, they are GeNell’s Flowers’ designs. And so that is pretty special. Every season, we have new designs we put out. It’s not someone else’s designs, it’s ours, And the other thing, too, we understand how we impact our community, and try to pay that forward and try to get our flowers from local farmers as much as possible. We still buy from larger wholesalers and all over the world, but this season, for example, there are some local farmers we work with to get things in.”

On Saturday, Sept. 28, GeNell’s Flowers is holding an open house from 1-4 p.m. at the business on East Ash Street to thank its customers for the years of support and as a way to celebrate. The first 75 attendees will receive a small flower arrangement. Refreshments will also be available, along with music to enjoy. The also have their fall decor out and available for sale.

The flower shop, which carries fresh flowers, plants, silk floral designs, and keepsake items for all occasions, is open six days a week. They also offer gravesite floral services, which those who live out of town often utilize, and business services, of which many companies establish profiles for ease of service.

The business’ hours of operation is Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and is closed on Sunday.

Same day delivery available for orders placed by 2 p.m. During busy holiday seasons, GeNell’s asks for help to assure on-time delivery by placing orders at least one day prior to the following major holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Administrative Professionals Week, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.

The shop is always be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Easter, Father’s Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

GeNell’s Flowers can be reached by coming into the East Ash Street shop during business hours for orders in person, or by calling 937-773-3938, or via its website at https://www.genellsflowers.com/ .