In her own words Jennifer Stehouwer’s childhood passion for nature and the outdoors paved the way for her career in floral design and eventual ownership of Ball Park Floral & Gifts, a century-old business in Grand Rapids.
Ball Park Floral & Gifts Member since: 2016 Owner: Jennifer Stehouwer Location: 8 Valley Ave. NW, Grand Rapids Opened: 1904 Specialty: Sympathy and occasion-based designs, seasonal favorites MRA services: Bankcard
Story by RACHEL SCHRAUBEN Photos by STEVE JESSMORE Does your business have a unique story? Contact rschrauben@retailers.com.
The corner of Fulton St. W. and Valley Ave. N.W. has been the home of Ball Park Floral & Gifts in Grand Rapids for over a century. Always locally owned and operated, Ball Park Floral & Gifts opened its doors in 1904 creating beautiful and fresh floral designs for weddings, funerals, and everyday occasions. Current owner, Jennifer Stehouwer, shares how her part-time high school job flourished into a career and passion. Growing up, my passion for nature… and the outdoors was cultivated by attending Blandford Environmental Education Program in 6th grade. When I was 16, my parents told me it was time to apply for a job. I was hired by a local flower shop near my house. My first responsibilities were taking out the trash and scrubbing toilets. Then I learned how to run the cash register and how to make a few small bouquets. The more I learned, the more responsibilities they gave me. I was there for three years. While in college, I worked at another local florist while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business. After graduating, I still didn’t know what kind of career to pursue. I ended up staying with the florist for 15 years, taking on responsibilities like managing the design department, weddings and special events, flower purchasing, merchandising and marketing.
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MICHIGAN RETAILER APR / MAY 2021
