This was something Stephanie Dorsey always wanted to do. Opening Willow Blooms was a dream of the Senior Director of Finance at Towne Park, and it came 20 years early. The shop at the corner of 2540 45th Street in Highland has been a local floral staple since 1970.
“I'm so excited, I just want to jump up and down,” Dorsey said. “I always wanted to have a gift shop when I retired. It got here about 20 years early, but when we walked in I could see all the potential and it was already established in the community.”
The shop was started as Brumm’s Bloomin' Barn owned by Nancy and her husband, the late Jerry Brumm. In 2021 David Gerlach took over the shop as the Brumms retired, turning it into the Bloomin Barn. On February 1, 2024, Dorsey along with her family, opened their own shop taking over the legacy from Gerlach. After a complete renovation, Willow Blooms celebrated their grand opening May 4, 2024.
“It was Brumm’s Bloomin Barn for 50 years and Gerlach had it for three years,” Dorsey said. “We kept the blooms part of the name, but I love willow trees which is why we call it Willow Blooms.”
Willow Blooms will carry the legacy of its predecessors of having a close-knit family that includes everyone who walks through the doors. The care does not end at the door, however, rather it extends to the greater community and beyond.
Throughout the store, there are shelves filled with items that have tags demonstrating they are from local, women and/or minority entrepreneurs. Every two months, the store will feature artwork by local artists. Ish Muhammed, friend and modern graffiti artist, is the first featured artist.
“I'm extremely passionate about supporting local women and minority-owned businesses,” Dorsey said. “We are trying to source as much product as possible to support those entrepreneurs as well. I am big on sustainability and we compost all of our floral debris.”
Dorsey’s parents Curt and Judy Miller came all the way from Ohio to attend the grand opening. The parents watched with pride as their daughter’s dream came to reality. Her mother Judy Miller says that Dorsey has always been big on helping the community.
“She has been big about helping the community,” said Judy Miller. “In different positions that she's held she worked on sustainability and volunteer programs.”
Dorsey’s husband, Jeff Dorsey, runs the day-to-day operations of the store. At first, he laughed when she told him she wanted to do this. Yet always there by Dorsey’s side, he joined in on creating their dream together.
“It was a long road, and I was always there for her, side-by-side," said Dorsey. “It was our dream to have our own business. Being her husband, I support everything she does. I'm there every step of the way with her no matter what.”
Also right by Dorsey’s side were her three kids including her eldest Lexi Smith, who can be seen helping in the store. Smith, like most high school students, is busy with school and playing soccer on the school team. However, in her free time, she comes to help her parents at the shop, spending six to seven hours in the store on weekends. Even on Saturday, with prom later that night, she was helping run the register and answer the phones.
“When she first got it, she was very nervous,” said Smith. “It was very hard for us because we kept running in to more problems with the renovation than we anticipated. I'm actually very proud of her and I could never have done what she is doing right now. I'm very proud.”
While Dorsey’s younger children are still too young to work, they love the shop. Both Curtis “CJ” and Amelia “Millie” Dorsey love spending time in the shop.
“I am very proud,” said Dorsey.
Just like her kids, Dorsey also grew up with entrepreneurial parents. Growing up in Ohio, her parents had their own business that Dorsey was a part of.
“My husband and I owned a business that we had for 17 years, and she was part of that business and worked and thrived there,” said Miller. “It's been in her blood and she's always wanted to do it herself.”
Dorsey has always been a busy woman. She was the Assistant General Manager/Regional Finance Director at McCormick Place in Chicago. She is involved in a bunco league and started a book club. “She doesn’t stop,” said Miller.
“I'm not sure 24 hours a day is enough for her to get everything done,” Curt Miller said. “Her stress levels are probably a little high, but her vision is transformed right here in Willow Blooms.”
Curt Miller’s advice for his daughter is to be careful about what you wish for.
“There are not enough hours in the day to get everything that you need done, and your family is going to come first,” Curt Miller said. “ You have to take care of your family, and the business, and hire good people. Don't stress yourself out. Money is not everything.”
One of Dorsey’s hires is her friend Deb Pattison who has been a florist. Dorsey hired Pattison to be the lead designer along with Tracy Rongers and Lori Jabaay who has been working in the store for 18 years.
“Our team is just fantastic, from our drivers to our people in the front,” Pattison said. “Everybody is really in tune. It's nice to come to a happy vibe place to work. When you're happy to be somewhere, it's not work.”
Sherrie Barbee has worked in the shop for 15 years, and she loves that the shop is going to stay family-oriented.
“It is exciting to see it come together,” Barbee said. “She's a great person and I could see her vision but to see it all come together has really been great. They're great people, and I hope they do awesome.”
Nancy Brumm came on Saturday to visit the store and see where the legacy is continuing. She was amazed by all the new renovations that the Dorsey’s undertook to spruce up the place.
“I'm excited about the new owners,” Brumm said. “Stephanie and Jeff are really awesome people, a great family, and the store looks just beautiful. I'm so proud of what they've done with it. It looks better than ever.”
Saturday was an exciting beginning for the new store in the 2540 45th Street storefront. It is a touching continuation of a legacy that the Dorsey’s will get to make their own impact on.
To learn more about Willow Blooms, please visit www.willowblooms.com.