August 2018 Chamber Chatter August Newsletter | Page 5

ANNIVERSARY
Cossairt Florist celebrates 122nd anniversary
T
his month marks the 122nd
anniversary of Cossairt Florist
and Greenhouse. The company
has been owned and operated by the same
family in the same county for 122 years!
When the company was founded over 4
generations ago in August 1896, William
McKinley was the 25th President of the
United States, the first modern Olympic
games had just taken place in Athens and
Henry Ford had just driven his first Ford
down the streets of Detroit.
As great advances were taking place
in this country and around the world, a
humble vegetable farmer and his wife were
about to create their legacy which would
last for generations. As family legend
goes, company founder Simon Peter
Cossairt and his wife Elizabeth were avid
gardeners. They sold produce from their
garden on a vegetable cart every day to
earn their living. One day, so the legend
says, Elizabeth put some geraniums from
her flower garden on the cart alongside
the vegetables. They sold better than
the produce and from there the Cossairt
company was born!
Four generations later, Cossairt’s
continues to serve Shelbyville and Shelby
County proudly under the leadership of
Jim and Nancy Cossairt. Their daughter
Jessica (fifth generation) has also taken an
active role in the company in recent years.
As one would expect of any long-
lasting company, Cossairt’s
has had to constantly adapt
over the years to acclimate to
the current business climate.
The company has evolved
from primarily cut flower
production and greenhouse
products at the start of the
company to a full-service
florist, garden center, and
gift shop today. Earlier this
year also saw the launch
of Plant It! events- local
planting events hosted
by Cossairt’s during
which participants
make their own live
plant creations. The
first events featured
succulent terrariums
and indoor herb
gardens. Additional
similar events are in
the works for the
future.
Today, Cossairt’s
offers a wide product
mix spanning all
seasons and changing from one season
to the next. From bedding plants and
hanging baskets for springtime planting
to fall hardy mums to Christmas
centerpieces and wreaths to full-scale
wedding flower services, Cossairt Florist
and Greenhouse serves the community
year-round with beautiful fresh flowers
and plants and friendly service. The
family and the company continue to look
to the future to best serve Shelby County’s
floral needs for years to come.
Cossairt Florist &
Greenhouse
139 West Boggstown Road
Shelbyville, IN 46176
[phone]
chamberchatter
August 2018
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