It’s not often you hear about a business surviving more than a century, let alone one that stayed rooted in the same community for 124 years. But this weekend, 5th Avenue Floral Co., a beloved local florist in Columbus, officially closed its doors for the final time.
There was no big send-off. No fireworks. Just a quiet goodbye posted to their website a week prior:
“Well everyone the time has come… It is time to say goodbye and close our doors. All of us here at 5th Avenue would like to thank our many, many (many) customers throughout our 124+ years of your wonderful and much appreciated business, loyalty, and friendships. We are saddened to say goodbye but the memories will last forever. But a big congratulations to the owners who are onto retirement and spending lots of time with their grandchildren!!”
And just like that, an era came to a close.
The shop offered a final week of sales, with everything marked down 50% at the beginning of the week, to even 70% off on their final day of business! Their longtime customers were encouraged to stop in for one last visit before the final day of deliveries and business, Saturday, June 7.
And while we’re thrilled for the owners getting to soak up retirement (and some well-deserved grandkid time), there’s no denying this one stings. Losing a business that’s been a part of the Columbus landscape for more than a century leaves a noticeable hole. Not just on the block where it sat, but on the entire community it served.
For generations, people turned to 5th Avenue Floral Co. for anniversaries, weddings, birthdays, sympathy bouquets, “just because” arrangements, and everything in between. Their flowers helped mark moments, both big and small, and they did it with heart, care, and seriously beautiful blooms.
Even their storefront brought joy to those who would walk or drive past, as they always had beautiful decorations for the holidays…
Personally, this one hits a little close to home. I used to live just off Chambers Rd., less than a mile from the shop. I remember stopping in to buy flowers for my boyfriend (just a random surprise because I’m awesome like that) and being met with the kind of warm, knowledgeable service that felt like something from a different era. They made even a simple bouquet feel meaningful. You don’t forget that kind of thing.
To the team at 5th Avenue Floral Co. — thank you.
Thank you for the decades of care, creativity, and community. Columbus won’t be the same without you, but we hope retirement is everything you dreamed it would be.
You will be missed. 🌸