TERRE HAUTE — Vonda Whitaker Monts says she loves history and downtown Terre Haute.
It’s a fitting combination, since Monts owns and operates one of the oldest businesses in town, Heinl’s Flower Shop, near the heart of downtown.
Heinl’s celebrated its 145th anniversary Friday, with a ribbon-cutting, refreshments, giveaways and visits from old friends.
Monts, who co-owns the business with Ron Leslie, laughed and smiled during the festivities. As she and former owners Linda Harper and Gwen Divincenzo used a pair of oversized scissors from the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce to cut the ribbon, onlookers clapped.
As usual, the smell of fresh flowers filled Heinl’s front display area, wafted past customers in the hallway who read historical tidbits about the business, and on into the cheery greenhouse. Even the overcast morning couldn’t dull the bright green of the many hanging plants in the greenhouse. Friends and customers mingled in the wedding room, enjoying cake, coffee and punch while flipping through old newspaper clippings of Heinl’s past.
Sheri Newlin, general manager of Heinl’s, said the people who work there are like family, and that it is a wonderful atmosphere to work in.
“[Vonda] always says we take care of two of God’s most precious creatures: people and flowers,” Newlin added.
Linda Harper, who owned Heinl’s for 13 years prior to Monts, said she was excited to be “here to support Vonda.”
As for Heinl’s longevity, Harper said, “I always expected it to go on.”
Divencenzo, along with her late husband, Tony Divincenzo, owned Heinl’s for 30 years, she said Friday.
Harper said her favorite memory of operating the flower shop was the holidays.
“I loved the holidays!” she said. “It was stressful but I enjoyed it.”
Monts chimed in, with a laugh, “I don’t love the holidays!”
Monts added she wants to encourage people to send flowers “just because.”
“Don’t wait for the holidays,” she said.
Ashley Delaunois, director of membership for the Chamber of Commerce, said the ribbon-cutting ceremony is a way for any business to celebrate an event, “whether it’s a special anniversary or a grand opening.” Heinl’s, she said, had the ribbon-cutting as a way to commemorate their 145th, of which they are very proud.
Marlena Johnson-Hill, a returning customer to Heinl’s who attended the event Friday, said she likes the business because, “it’s a wonderful, family-owned business … they have stayed in the community, and you can celebrate anything, and they will provide the most beautiful flowers.”
Johnson-Hill added, “They are good people, they’ve been good people down through the years.”
Jennifer Johnson, who is a cheerleading coach for Chauncey Rose Middle School, said Heinl’s often provides flower arrangements for events with the cheerleaders.
“They always do such a beautiful job,” Johnson said.
Heinl’s Flower Shop, also known as the “Original Flower Shop of Terre Haute,” is one of the oldest flower shops in the Midwest. Established in 1863 by John G. Heinl and his son Fredrick, the Heinl family left a legacy of service to the community and to the floral industry. Heinl’s was originally located at Eighth and Cherry streets. In 1901, the family business relocated to a new, two-story brick building at its current location. Then, it was known as the “Flower House.”
John Heinl was a special grower. He imported a violet that he made famous, which was known as the “Princess of Wales.” He also grew lilacs on a large scale. Heinl was a pioneer member of the Society of American Florists. The business continues to belong to that organization.
Heinl also was a very prominent businessman in Terre Haute. He was a charter member of the Terre Haute Commercial Club, out of which grew the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce. Heinl’s Flower Shop has been a member with the Chamber since it began. Known for his philanthropic work, Heinl was a member of the board of managers for the Rose Orphan’s Home. He was elected vice president of Fort Harrison Savings Bank.
Heinl’s Flower Shop has had only five owners since 1863. After John and Fredrick Heinl, the business was run by Bill and Bertha Becker. The Divincenzos then owned it. After that, Linda and Dewayne Harper took over. Monts, a lifelong Terre Haute resident, has been the owner since 2001.
Since then, Heinl’s has made various updates, including a new greenhouse roof, a new awning and a color update in 2007. A new computer network, remodeling of the wedding consultation room and the development of a Web site are other recent improvements.
To learn more about Heinl's Flower Shop, log on to www.heinls.com.
Deb Kelly can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or deb.kelly@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Heinl’s celebrates 145 years
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Packing the hall
If you didn’t come early, the seats were hard to find.
-
Alternative-fuel project has Rose, ISU students all charged up
The future of Earth’s auto industry is intertwined with the career prospects of local university students, and a world-class team shined with green energy Sunday.
-
Montford Point Marine
In 1943, 19-year-old Ezell Odom was on the sandy beach of a tiny South Pacific island about 7,000 miles from his parent’s home in Terre Haute.
-
K-9 officer Shadow honored as a hero
A Terre Haute K-9 officer injured in the line of duty has been honored as a hero by the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.
-
Freezin’ for a Reason
Hundreds lined up outside Hulman Center amid frigid air to participate in a warm-hearted cause.
-
Even as law, right-to-work dominates crackerbarrel
The flames of the right-to-work debate were gone, but the coals still seemed to smolder.
-
Vigo School Board to give OK on bonds for DeVaney project
The Vigo County School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the administration building, 686 Wabash Ave.
-
Bridging the gap to ‘forever’
They can be taken from their homes by strangers for reasons they may not understand, with no possessions other than the clothes they are wearing.
-
Students showcase keen problem-solving skills at Rose-Hulman
For the 16th straight year, Honey Creek Middle School students came out on top in the Wabash Valley MATHCOUNTS competition at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
-
Ivy Tech to celebrate Black History Month
Ivy Tech Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events at its campuses statewide.
-
Whitney Houston, superstar of records, films, dies
Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.
-
Giant welcome home for Steve
Terre Haute was suddenly home to thousands of cheering New York Giants fans Friday as residents welcomed Super Bowl champion Steve Weatherford back home for a parade.
-
‘One for Terre Haute,’ Steve tells crowd at North
“This one was for Terre Haute,” native son Steve Weatherford proclaimed Friday as he shared his Super Bowl victory with the community that helped send him on the path to a world championship.
-
Hometown support vital to success, Weatherford says
Steve Weatherford said Friday he wouldn’t be celebrating a Giants’ Super Bowl victory if not for the support he’s received from his hometown, his parents and mentors in his life.
-
Craning for a rare glimpse
A visitor from the Far East has naturalists flying to Linton, hoping some good comes from one bird’s bad directions.
-
Vigo’s primary election filings complete
The slate is set for the May 8 primary election, with the race for three at-large seats on the Vigo County Council drawing the largest pool of candidates at the county level.
-
Documentary on electric vehicles plays Sunday at Rose
The rising popularity of electric vehicles and their impact on the world eco-system is the focus of a documentary, “Revenge of the Electric Car,” being presented at 3 p.m. Sunday in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Hatfield Hall Theater.
-
Man gets 10-year sentence in battery case
A West Terre Haute man received a 10-year prison sentence Friday after pleading guilty to aggravated battery for beating a friend caught in bed with the man’s wife.
-
Asian hooded crane lands in Greene County wildlife area
Bird watchers are flocking to a southwestern Indiana wildlife area to try to catch a glimpse of a crane usually spotted only in Asia.
-
Slow drips: It’s maple syrup season in Indiana
More seasonal, colder temperatures will hit the Wabash Valley this weekend, which is ideal weather for maple syrup production, said Keith Ruble, superintendent of the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department.
However, Ruble voices concern that this year’s maple syrup season may be short.
-
Downtown restaurant celebrates expansion
The streets of Terre Haute were chilly Thursday night, but for the glow of hot pasta inside Louise’s Pizzeria and Cafe.
-
Contract signed for new Y
Papers are signed and the ink is in place for a new YMCA to operate in Terre Haute.
-
City to impose $30 release fee on towed vehicles
The Terre Haute City Council voted without opposition Thursday to impose a new $30 release fee on vehicles towed and impounded by the police as part of a criminal investigation.
-
Valley educators cautious on Indiana’s ‘No Child’ waiver
Indiana is one of 10 states to receive a waiver from federal No Child Left Behind requirements.
-
Driver dies after Illinois school bus crash
“Brace yourself. Brace yourself,” Fay Pickering shouted to her students just before the school bus she was driving crossed U.S. 40 and landed in a ditch Thursday morning.
-
Trial date set for former WTH police chief
A July 23 trial date has been set for a former police chief of West Terre Haute accused of theft.
-
Motorcycle gang member pleads guilty in federal court
A member of an Indianapolis motorcycle gang who delivered methamphetamine to a Terre Haute dealer has pleaded guilty to drug charges in federal court.
-
July trial date set for mother charged with child neglect
A July 30 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute mother charged with neglecting and battering her toddler.
-
Business hosting SPPRAK fundraiser
Java Haute is hosting the latest fundraiser sponsored by SPPRAK — Special People Performing Random Acts of Kindness.
-
Valley high school cooking competition under way today
Clabber Girl Corp. and Gordon Food Services will host the fourth-annual High School Chef Competition, beginning today through Saturday, and again Feb. 18, in the Culinary Classroom at Clabber Girl.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Snow Strands Italian Towns
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Video of M.I.A's Obscene Halftime Gesture
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Stocks Fall Sharply As Greek Deal Is Held Up
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Exclusive Video: Bobbi Kristina Leaving Hospital
2012 Grammys: Rihanna
Raw Video: Aurora Borealis As Seen From Space
2012 Grammys: Taylor Swift
Exclusive Video - Whitney's Bodybag
FUEL TV: Punk Payback Gym tips
Whitney's Final Days - EXCLUSIVE
First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter
Lusetich: AT&T Rd. 3 recap
Peek inside Barbie's closet
Romney Tops Santorum in CPAC Straw Poll
Madonna's Daughter Shaves Head
Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop
Absolute Lin-sanity
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Test on Comforter in Powell Unit Shows Blood
Hero Driver Saves Kids From Burning Bus
Funeral to be held for Powell boys
