MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) - A longtime local business burned over the weekend, but its owner vowed Tuesday that his business will not go up in smoke.
“We’re up and running,” said John Davis, whose Davis Brothers Greenhouse burned on Saturday. “I’m delivering orders today.”
Davis told The Star Press (https://tspne.ws/K2hjwC ) that he’s working out of a temporary location until he can move back into undamaged space at the scene of the business fire at 14th and Gharkey streets.
The fire tore through some of the greenhouse buildings but left some areas intact. Davis - who was filling orders from his garage on Tuesday - said he intends to move back into the untouched areas as soon as possible.
The company sells live plants and floral arrangements, but arrangements for funeral services “are my bread and butter,” Davis said.
The Davis family has a long history in the local floral business. Davis’ grandfather, Fred Davis, bought the greenhouse in 1939.
“It was a large family,” John Davis said. “My grandparents had 10 children. Out of the 10, six went into the flower business.”
Davis relatives have for decades operated other Muncie businesses including Normandy Flower Shop and Paul’s Flowers. Other family members have businesses elsewhere in Indiana and Michigan.
Davis and his wife, Janalee, are the sole remaining operators of Davis Brothers, Davis said. One of their daughters helps out on deliveries around the holidays.
Other family members with their own floral businesses have offered to help, but Davis has been reluctant to accept help so far.
“I’m trying to get as much done as I can by myself,” Davis said.
He noted, however, that the family members in the business locally traditionally help each other out.
“We’re always trading things back and forth,” he said. “They’re a pretty good family.”
Davis said he believed faulty electrical wiring caused Saturday’s fire.
At 69, Davis said he didn’t take the fire as a sign he should retire.
“I’ve been going absolutely crazy, sitting here since Saturday,” Davis said Tuesday. “There’s no way I could ever retire. I’ve got to have something to do.”
Davis Brothers Greenhouse can be reached at 765-282-5989.
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Information from: The Star Press, https://www.thestarpress.com
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