Ford’s Flowers Celebrates 77th Anniversary

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – In the wake of World War II, many soldiers returned home with a determined sense of entrepreneurship. 

Such was the case with Bob Ford, when on this day in 1947 he founded Ford’s Flowers, which was honored this morning by the Chamber of Commerce in celebration of its 77th anniversary.

Ford’s Flowers Owner Brigitta Smith shared some of the challenges she faces in today’s business climate. 

“It’s definitely a challenge,” Smith said. “Currently with big box stores offering a lot of flowers, you can go into Sam’s Club, into Kroger and get fresh flowers, vase arrangements but what we do here you know… I call it a legacy business. You have customers that still come here. Their great-grandparents came here and then their grandparents came and now their kids come here. And so almost everyday we have a smiling face come through the door. That is just the nostalgia that we’re still here, still operating under that same Ford’s Flowers name.”

Smith, who acquired Ford’s in August has operated Urban Floral in downtown Zanesville since 2020. Smith noted that trends can come and go but the need for flowers can stem into people’s lives in many colorful ways and Ford’s Flowers will always be rooted in customer service. 

“Starting Urban Floral, we started our own name and our own brand in trying to do something different in our community with modern design. Kind of changing the way you saw flowers being arranged. But with the opportunity to purchase Ford’s, you know I realized how important it is (to) that customer base to keep that tradition. And there was no need to make any type of changes here,” Smith said.

Many recognize Easter as the beginning of spring and celebrate the blossoming of nature’s colors with the gift of flowers.