Nov 6, 2010

C.J. Originals, a full service florist and gift shop opens in Indian RiverBy Mark LindsayPetoskeyNews.com

Indian River boasts a fine selection of downtown shops and markets, but until recently had been without a florist.

Enter C.J. Originals, a full service florist and gift shop that celebrated its grand opening Sept. 28.

Susan Thompson, the owner of the shop, is the daughter of C. June Smith, the founder of C.J. Originals. Smith began her business in the early 1990s in Defiance, Ohio, selling primarily her own original artwork with a small floral business as well.

As the business grew she opened a shop in Harbor Springs around 1998 and her daughter began to sell floral arrangements there as well.

“Having begun the business at the age of 65, my mother and I did very well with her artwork until she decided to retire in 2006 and closed the stores,” Thompson said.

While Thompson had a career as a registered nurse for many years, floral arrangements have been her passion for the past 16 years.

Working with her mother gave her the knowledge and desire which led her to the decision to re-open a floral and gift shop under the old name.

Read complete article.