April 2011
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Prom dress shopping in downtown Fond du Lac
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Wood’s
Floral & Gifts in downtown for 95 years Dorothy Bliskey | Special to The Reporter Wood’s Floral & Gifts is nearly 100 years old and still flourishing in downtown Fond du Lac at 36 N. Main St. The business was opened in 1916 by Ray Wood. His daughter, Doris, took over ownership and operated the business until she retired in 1975, selling it to Eugene Berg. In 1993, current owners Rick Bode and Dave Buechel took over the business — Bode as a designer and purchaser and Buechel as the office manager. Many changes have occurred since Ray Wood started the business nearly a century ago. “Originally, Wood’s was more like a truck farm focusing on produce, not so much flowers,” said Bode, noting that in the early years, it was located farther south on Main Street. “We’ve been in the same location since 1962, and of course, the business changed from produce to a floral and gift shop.” Now, the shop carries fresh and silk flowers, green and blooming plants, custom-made centerpieces and gift items such as wall décor, lamps, candles and candle holders, plush animals, a wide assortment of angels, memorial stones, seasonal décor and more. Of the 10 employees, three are designers who custom-design fresh or silk arrangements and who will assist with home or business decorating needs. Special occasions — whether happy or sad — traditionally call for flowers, and that’s where Woods steps up to the plate. Creating personalized floral tributes for funerals or memorials is an area Woods handles for grieving families. For happy occasions like weddings, Wood’s begins with a personal consultation and continues to oversee all floral needs until the big day is over. “We deliver to homes, businesses,
THE REPORTER PHOTOS BY JUSTIN CONNAHER Rick Bode of Wood’s Floral & Gifts displays prom flower arrangements in the store located at 36 N. Main St. in downtown Fond du Lac.
churches and wherever the need is,” said Bode. The business services Fond du Lac and the surrounding area.
Prom connection With flowers for any occasion as the focus, Wood’s gets busy during prom season. “Prom corsages are not the pin-on kind like years ago,” said Ken Giebel, a designer at Wood’s. “Girls prefer wrist corsages now, and roses seem to be the flower of choice. Roses will never go away.” Orchids are also a prom corsage favorite, he said. While the corsage is comprised of beautiful fragrant flowers, that’s not all there is to a prom corsage these days. The flowers are embellished with a blast of bling — sparkling jewels, crystal pieces, rhinestones and dazzling colorful wires that match the dress. “They like touches of sparkle in with the flowers,” Giebel said. “And the guy’s boutonnieres usually match the girl’s corsage.” The prom corsage is secured onto the girl’s wrist with either a metal wire bracelet or a jeweled bracelet laden with sparkling jewels that can be worn as just a bracelet once prom is over. Wood’s also helps out by providing flowers and props for the prom setting. “Every day is interesting here,” Bode said. “You never know who’s going to call. I enjoy being able to help people at the highest time of their lives, like for weddings and proms, and at the lowest times, such as funerals.” The downtown area has been good for Wood’s, Bode said. “Everyone knows where we are because we’ve been in the same location almost 50 years.”
For more information, call (920) 922-6780 or email woodsfloral@tds.net. Hours at Wood’s Floral & Gifts are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; & Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.