Lowe in florist business for more than 40 years

Linnet Lowe, pictured far right, has been in the florist business for more than 40 years and has owned and operated Linnet’s Flowers on the Square in Coshocton for 22 years. Recently, she started offering workshops at her store where participants can create a make it, take it craft. Contributed | Beacon

COSHOCTON – Linnet Lowe has always been artistic, but when she was studying art education to become a teacher, her life took an unexpected turn.

“I was studying art education at The Ohio State University and my Uncle Larry Clary asked me to fill in a summer time job and that’s when I fell in love with what I was doing,” she said. “I fell in love with the beauty and creation of flowers and I never left.”

Lowe worked at the greenhouse at Clary Brothers Florist until her uncle passed away.

“When he passed away, it became evident that I wanted to open my own business,” she said.

For 22 years, Lowe has owned and operated Linnet’s Flowers on the Square at 248 Main St., Coshocton, and has been in the floral business for 42 years.

In those 42 years, Lowe said that the business has changed dramatically. Not only has product and style changed, but materials used to create flower arrangements have also changed.

“It’s gone from using oasis [floral foam] to not using it back to using oasis,” said Lowe. “The oasis company revolutionized the way floral arrangements are made. You can put flowers in an arrangement and it will hold that arrangement and also hold water. We still use it, especially for funerals, but now, most people want their flowers in a clear vase, so you can’t use oasis. It’s a little harder to design that way.”

The type of business Lowe has seen has also changed.

“It used to be that the funeral business was huge,” said Lowe. “The funeral business is still mainstay, but not as prevalent as it was 40 years ago.”

Another change to the floral business has been the DIY movement. Lowe and her staff have responded to that with make it, take it classes which are held once a month. Lowe takes a popular idea or design and creates a class around a different idea or theme each month. The next class will be a farmhouse-chic theme featuring sunflowers on July 30. In the past, she has had classes featuring Christmas wreaths, Christmas pine arrangements, Thanksgiving arrangements, succulent arrangements, and just recently, a patriotic flag wreath craft. Check her website at linnetsflowers.com or on her Facebook page for more details.

“It’s been really fun,” said Lowe. “It’s been inspirational for us as well because we get to be creative.”

Lowe also offers private parties including a bridal party where bridesmaids can come to the shop and make their own bouquets.

Lowe also opened a store in Newark in 2012 that is managed by her daughter Amanda Stickdorn.

“We wanted to expand and this place became available in downtown Newark,” said Lowe. “Newark is just an awesome place and has a thriving downtown and I would love for that to happen in Coshocton.”

Other family members also help out when they can with Lowe’s business. Although he is retired, her husband helps transport items between the Coshocton and Newark locations and also does accounting for the business.

When she’s not at the shop, Lowe enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and gardening. She used to make hand bags, but now makes candles and has her own company called Park Place Candles Co. They are sold at her shop.

“I’ve also recently been involved with Our Town Coshocton,” said Lowe. “Revitalizing our downtown has been a big interest of mine lately.”

Lowe said she enjoys being creative and making an arrangement that someone will enjoy.

“It’s the beauty of Mother Nature,” said Lowe. “It’s the fun of being able to create something and starting from scratch, and creating something that someone will enjoy. It’s fun if you know the customer has a favorite flower and bringing a memory back to them, bringing something special back to them.”

Category: People & Places