‘A season for everything’: This Columbia business is closing after nearly 80 years
For nearly 80 years, floral arrangements from Columbia’s DeLoache Flowers have brought color to the lives of Columbians.
Flowers from DeLoache have adorned the wrists and jackets of young people going to proms, decorated church halls and other venues where wedding vows have been exchanged, and lifted hearts at funerals when loved ones have passed.
But now the business is set to say goodbye.
DeLoache Flowers and Branham Florist Supply recently announced it would be permanently closing the shop at 2927 Millwood Ave. in Columbia. The last day of business will be Thursday, Feb. 29.
DeLoache has been doing business in Columbia since 1947 and has long been owned by members of the Branham family. For many years, it has been a sort of dual operation: DeLoache Flowers has been a traditional retail flower shop, while Branham Florist Supply has operated as a wholesaler that helped supply other florists.
Co-owner Jackie Branham told The State that, after decades in business, the time is simply right to step away.
“It’s just time,” Branham said. “We’ve been in business over 70 years. We are ready to retire. ... There’s a season for everything.”
Branham said regular customers have been crestfallen to hear the news that the shop is closing after all these years.
“Everybody has been sad, but our community has served us well,” Branham said. “We hope and pray and believe we have served them well. You can go anywhere where there were flowers, and you can tell they were DeLoache flowers. We’ve had great designers over the years, and we’re really proud of our employees.”
The florist business nationwide has changed much through the years, Branham said. For one, she noted that flowers are more widely available than they once were.
“Ever florist will tell you this: There’s flowers everywhere,” Branham said. “There’s flowers in the grocery store. If you were out shopping for Valentine’s Day, you saw them on every corner. ... Flowers didn’t used to be in the grocery stores, like they are now. So, that’s changed tremendously. But that’s not why we are closing. It’s just time.”
Branham noted that “everything’s on sale” at DeLoache up until Feb. 29. Aside from flowers, she noted that “everything has to go,” including shelving, coolers, tables and more.
When DeLoache shared in a recent Facebook post that it planned to close at the end of the month, customers immediately began leaving heartfelt replies.
“Sad day for me,” one commenter shared on the social media post. “I’ve used you to deliver birthday daisies to my mom for many years. Best of luck in your life and adventures to come.”
Branham was quick to say the flower shop and its staff will miss their customers. She said the customers’ emotions when they would lay their eyes on a flower arrangement they had ordered has been her favorite part of the business.
“We love seeing the reactions when they come and say, ‘Oh my goodness! Thank you so much, they are just beautiful,’” Branham said.
“It just makes your heart so glad when you see something as beautiful as a flower.”
