SAND SPRINGS, Okla. -- Sand Springs Flowers is calling it quits after being open for more than a century.
Owner Carolyn Short has decided to retire. She owned the business for the last 23 years and has worked there for 43 years.
"We don't call her boss," said Beckie Williams, an 18-year employee of Sand Springs Flowers. "Her grandkids call her 'Gaga' so we call her 'Gaga,' so she is like a mom to me too. Carolyn is a wonderful person to work with."
The employees have been with their customers through every stage of their life.
"We've married them, buried them and had baby stuff for them," Williams said. "We've seen all their grandkids grow up. We've done proms for them. We've seen their kids have babies. Then they grow up and we do their prom flowers."
The four employees have had fun doing it.
Because Sand Springs has a small-town feel, the employees say everyone knows everyone. The four employees go above and beyond for their customers.
"We go above and beyond for Valentine's Day because guys wanted us to do special things," Williams said. "They would say 'Can you have this here at a specific time at this restaurant, because I'm going to propose tonight.' I have even put engagement rings in tops of flowers for them before."
After working together for decades, they have become more than coworkers. They are friends and aunts to each other's children.
"We raised kids down here," Williams said.
The shop was originally opened by Charles Page in 1908 and called The Greenhouse. At the time, they grew their own flowers.
It is one of the oldest flower shops in the state and was the only one in Sand Springs until the late 1960s.
As for now, they are finishing up some of the last orders they will ever fill.
"Don't make me cry," Williams said. "It's going to be different. Been down here a long time. They're all still my friends. Of course we will stay close still but I'll be sad. It will be different coming by and not knowing what's going to be in here. We've had a lot of fun."
Short plans to close the doors for good on Jan. 13.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
