January 20, 2010 - 616 words
Flower shop to blossom with new owners
LISA KELLY - The Woodstock Independent
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Lisa Kelly Sisters Hannah Rinn, left, and Sarah Rinn are the new owners of The Blossom Shop. | The most important sign in the window of The Blossom Shop on Calhoun Street is the one that says "Open." The flower shop was destined to close at the end of 2009, but two young entrepreneurs saved it by purchasing and reopening it in early January.
Hannah Rinn, 19, worked part time in the store for almost three years and couldn't bear to see it close. So she teamed up with her sister, Sarah, 18, to buy the business with money they saved through the years and keep it open.
"I just couldn't bear to see it die," Hannah Rinn said. "It was truly an opportunity I couldn't pass up."
The two young women have gone beyond what would be expected for their ages. In this economy, they have saved a retail business -- one that serves community members at critical junctures in their lives.
Hannah Rinn learned the art of floral design in 4-H, a youth organization dedicated to developing citizenship, leadership and life skills through mostly experiential learning programs. 4-H has been a significant influence in both women's lives.
"In addition to floral design and working with animals, from 4-H I learned customer service, interaction with people and a strong work ethic," she said. "I think that will serve me well in this business."
She had intended to work toward a career in animal science and nutrition and just took the floral design job at Blossom Shop to pay for school.
"But then I got hooked on this," she said. "I love it because it offers something different every day."
Sarah Rinn also had some training in floral design but had a special interest in the visual arts. In addition, she worked part time at a specialty paper store in Woodstock, so the pair plans to offer custom invitations.
"It seems a natural partner for all-occasion floral design," Sarah Rinn said.
Creator and original owner of The Blossom Shop, Anne Harding, opened the store on Benton Street on the Woodstock Square in 1994. Eight years later she sold it to Renee Olson who moved it in 2006 to its current location at 116 E. Calhoun St.
Harding still works at the store part time. She said she was thrilled that the store would stay alive and is excited about the infusion of new blood.
"Hannah is exceptional," she said. "And I'm looking forward to continuing to work with her and Sarah."
Olson, too, is pleased that the store was saved. Her decision to close it was a difficult one for her, but she felt she needed to put her family first.
"After 21 years in the industry, I decided I had to hang up my apron and spend more time with my daughter."
Both new owners will continue their education next year. Sarah Rinn, who will graduate from Crystal Lake Central High School this year has already completed a year's worth of credits at McHenry County College in her spare time and will pursue a four-year degree majoring in business at Columbia College-Missouri in Crystal Lake.
Hannah Rinn has one more semester at MCC. Upon completion, she will join her sister at Columbia College with the same major.
Owning The Blossom Shop is a welcome challenge to the sisters who characterize themselves as "the risk-takers in the family." And they will not tackle this ambitious undertaking without help. In addition to Harding, there are three other veteran employees and many relatives willing to pitch in.
"We're like a family here," Hannah Rinn said. "And there is no more satisfying family activity than working together to serve the people of our community on their important occasions."
Sarah Rinn agreed, adding, "We may seem young, but we're fast learners and have great teachers."
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