Berwyn Flower Shops

Berwyn IL News

Mar 9, 2017

Palmer Florist owners celebrate love

Palmer Florist 26 years ago from the daughter of one of his friends when the shop was located at Roosevelt Road and Clinton Avenue in Berwyn. He remained there until 2012, when the property was sold to Culver’s. Kowalczyk then moved his business to Westchester, and it’s now a 1-800-FLOWERS franchise. In addition to farm-fresh flowers, Palmer Florist also sells hand-dipped chocolates, fresh fruit arrangements, plush toys and other gifts.The Naperville resident had never worked with flowers prior to purchasing the shop, but his friend convinced him to get into the business, which Kowalczyk says has changed tremendously over the years.“When I bought the shop, everything was done by hand, and the internet has changed the whole business,” he said. “We get a lot of online orders, and people can see photos of the arrangements so they know exactly what they want.”Despite the explosion of online shopping, it’s the personal connection with the customers that keeps places like Palmer Florist in business. Braswell said the shop has been a part of the community for so long that the customers are more like friends.“We hear their stories, and they’re heartfelt. We’re here for our community,” she said. “There’s a legacy here. We’re part of the fabric of the community, and we care about each other. This is a wonderful, family-owned business and just a unique place.”And now, Kowalczyk and Church are gearing up for one of the busiest times of the year.Kowalczyk said 80 to 90 percent of their Valentine’s Day customers are men who are “buying flowers to impress their ladies.” The most popular flowers for the holiday are roses and calla lilies, he said.The couple hasn’t been able to celebrate Valentine’s Day very often over the years because they’re both so busy with the shop, but the one time they did attempt to celebrate, it didn’t go very well, Church said.“In 2009, he sent me flowers for Valentine’s Day, but I was out of the country. The holidays are challenging for us,” Church said with a laugh.---If you goWhat: Palmer FloristWhere: 1926 S. Mannheim Road, WestchesterHours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, closed SundayInfo: palmerflorist.comPrevious Page12Next Page... (Suburban Life Publications)

Dec 22, 2016

Technology makes the funeral service more personal

Adolf Funeral Home & Cremation Services 7000 South Madison Street, Willowbrook, IL., 60527 2921 South Harlem Ave., Berwyn, IL., 60402 Call Willowbrook at (630) 325-2300 or Berwyn at (708)  484-4111, or visit www.adolfservices.com. (Suburban Life Publications)

Dec 30, 2015

Bernard Eugene Plumb

Shirley Moore of Portland and Grace and Ose Matsutani of Anchorage, Alaska; brother-in-law Berwyn and Lois Dodson of Medford; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, at Suburban Christian Church in Corvallis. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrances to International Disaster Emergency Services, PO Box 379, Noblesville, IN 46061 (www.ides.org). (Corvallis Gazette Times)

Oct 12, 2015

As Upper Darby blossomed with diversity, so did stalwart flower shop

Upper Darby in 1980, but 10 years later as his family continued to grow – he and his wife have four children – he looked westward. He now lives in Berwyn, Chester County, on the Main Line, about eight miles from Upper Darby. But he still cheerleads for the township. “I’ll take my wife, some friends, I say come on down here, I know some restaurants,” says Polites. “People don’t even know. I frequent the stores around here and try to support them. I’ve heard their stories and I’ve told them similar stories about how my family came in the 1800s. They get a kick out of it. "The people are nice and they are all doing the same thing – living the American dream.” ... (PhillyVoice.com)

Oct 12, 2015

Gardener cultivates both plants and community

The art of gardening is something Gilchrist herself picked up as a child in Berwyn, Ill., where her mother, Marie Hrabacka, had an award-winning garden. She continued to garden, as her family moved to a 100-acre farm in Gobles, Mich., near Kalamazoo.</p><p>In fact, some of the plants Gilchrist cultivates in her garden came from her mother and grandmother Biba Hrabacka, including blue spiderwort, a blue flower that blooms in the morning; and moss roses that are usually in full bloom by 1 p.m.</p><p>“God hasn't given them enough sun to bloom in the morning,” she explained during a brief tour of her home garden.</p><p>The occasional dead leaf and even rarer weed barely last seconds as she walks the garden — once Gilchrist sees one, she snatches it away.</p><p>The garden is mostly flowers, though in the past Gilchrist has done vegetables, beans, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.</p><p>Gilchrist, who has two children from a previous marriage, moved to Bay Lake Estates about 15 years ago with her life partner, Dick. Before she picked Bay Lake Estates, she visited with friends and relatives who had already moved there, liked the lifestyle, and “just really appreciated the community.”</p><p>Neighbors quickly learned to bring her plants that were nearly expired and more often than not, she'd bring them back to life.</p><p>“I don't throw anything away if it has a root,” she said. “Roots, breathe, plants breathe, so you need to keep the light going if you can.”</p><p>There are 228 homes at Bay Lake Estates, which is just the right size for Gilchrist.</p><p>“It affords you the options of knowing everyone and this particular community lets us garden,” she said. “They've been very gracious in allowing me to dig in the dirt.”</p><p>Community manager Leslee Jones noted ... (Sarasota Herald-Tribune)