Published: October 06, 2008 01:07 am            

LOCKPORT: Floristry location sold, Main Street store changes name to Wilhelm & Ashe.

A new owner and a new name are among the changes coming to Wilhelm & Ashe.

The Main Street location is now Wilhelm & Ashe Home, while the Wilhelm & Ashe Floristry shop on Prospect Street is now owned by Ron and Mary Ellen Walker. The Walkers purchased the floral portion of the business on Prospect Street in July.

Ron Walker said the transition has been going well, although learning everything about running a floristry takes time. It’s a slow process, but we’re getting there, he said.

“That’s the hard part, there’s so much to absorb,” Walker said.

Walker ran his own business, driving for Federal Express in the Lockport area for 23 years. Through that business, Walker got to know members of the community including Gary and Margaret Ashe, owners of Wilhelm & Ashe.

“I’d been looking to get out,” Walker said. “It was a tough job for so many years. I wanted something different, but I still wanted to run my own business.”

Walker sold the Federal Express business after taking over Wilhelm & Ashe Floristry. He added some of the same customers he had as a driver also come to the Wilhelm & Ashe.

Margaret Ashe has been in the floristry industry for 32 years, Gary Ashe said. Her maiden name is Wilhelm, which makes up the name of the shop. The Ashes bought the Steve Hahn Lewis Flower Shop on Prospect seven years ago, which during the time they doubled their sales. Realizing a possible need for a high end store in Lockport, the Ashes opened a second location on Main Street in the Ulrich City Centre.

Now in their fourth year on Main Street, the Ashes decided to sell the floral portion in July and change the Main Street location to Wilhelm & Ashe Home. Originally the Ashes wanted to sell the property and building on Prospect and then duplicate the Main Street store on Transit Road by leasing a building. Then the Ashes had a discussion with the Walkers, who showed interest in buying the business.

“It became more evident that it was a better move for ourselves, because of my wife needing to be a caretaker for her parents,” Gary Ashe said.

Wilhelm & Ashe Home on Main Street will focus on home decor and permanent botanicals, Gary Ashe said. No fresh floral arrangements are available or will be done on Main Street. Other items are available.

“From baby items, to fragrance candles to high end and medium priced giftware,” he said. “This store is finding itself more as a consultant for people with home decorating.”

Ashe added he was grateful to the community for their support at both locations.

Aside from the owners, nothing else will change at Wilhelm & Ashe Floristry, as the Walkers will keep the name, and all of the current staff and designers.

“The staff has been wonderful,” Walker said. “They’re making the transition easier.”

Although the Ashes will be absent from the floral side of Wilhelm & Ashe, they will still take orders for the floristry shop.

        

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