Fountain Florist to celebrate 40 years in business

GREENFIELD — Carol Baudler is thankful for her community and is proud to have been a part of it as a florist for the past 40 years. An open house is planned for regular business hours the week of April 12-16.

Baudler decided to fill a void in the community by opening her own flower shop called Fountain Florist April 13, 1981. She had worked previously at another Greenfield floral shop before it closed. Fountain Florist’s first location was at the Highway 25 and 92 corner, but that was short lived as the building was sold and became unavailable. That’s when Baudler moved the store to its current spot at 108 NE Sixth St.

“It’s neat to serve the people and their descendants, like we did a lady’s wedding, we’ve done her daughter’s and now we’re doing her granddaughter’s,” Baudler said. “That’s kind of cool, and I take pride in that, that we’re here and ready to serve.”

A Greenfield native, Baudler said that developing her business, at the start, was a challenging, yet rewarding experience. She knew a lot of people, which helped, but she still had to build up the trust of her customers.

“People were welcoming and glad to have a florist here,” Baudler said.

Baudler has expanded the business over time to include indoor and outdoor home decor. She went to school to learn more about being a florist and earned the distinction of being an Iowa Master Florist, a designation she’s very proud of. Baudler is also a former president of the Society of Iowa Florists and Growers, and in 1987, she had the opportunity to decorate the interior of Terrace Hill, the Iowa Governor’s masion, at Christmas.

Baudler credits current employees Julie Sorensen and Myrna Erb Gundel, her husband Doc, and the community as reasons the store is still going today.

“I plan to keep going as long as I can,” Baudler said. “I’ve had good employees and my family’s been very supportive, as well as the community. I’ve tried to give back to the community in different organizations.”