In 1923 Arthur Pontius left the printing business and started A.R. Pontius Flower Shop with his wife, Florence. They grew award-winning gladiolus and lilies in the lot behind the shop and sold them in the same location the shop is in today, on Main Street, in beautiful Harbor Springs, Michigan.

I grew up in Petoskey, just across Little Traverse Bay. In 2007 I moved back to Northern Michigan from San Francisco; I had spent the previous 10 years earning a vocal music degree and pursuing a performance career. A friend knew I had experience in gardening and plants and suggested I apply as a florist where he was working. I got the job.

In 2013 I bought A.R. Pontius Flower Shop from my aunt, Nancy Rondel. In the years since my staff and I have designed and provided flowers for nearly 400 weddings and uncounted events and special occasions. We have created and delivered thousands of bouquets and arrangements, and we also grow flowers on our farm just north of Harbor Springs.

I love my job. I am extremely grateful to all of the clients that let me create for them, and I am so proud to own a 100-year-old flower shop.

-Jamie Beth Platte