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The Uptown Project is an initiative to promote Francesville, the small town with a big heart! Local businesses are easily taken for granted and often citizens overlook what great and convenient resources we have in our small town. Did you realize that the center of Francesville has over 30 businesses located on Bill and Montgomery Streets, with a few more on the way? The Uptown Project highlights the history and needs of a different business every few months. The first business to enjoy the spotlight is Country Color, a flower and gift shop.
Country Color is located on the southeast corner of Bill and Montgomery Streets. This building was originally built in 1890. It has seen many improvements over the years, as well as numerous owners. At one time it housed a barbershop, pool hall, and a restaurant. In the late 1960’s, Glenn and Dorothy Morgan purchased the building from Cecil Kopka. Instead of multiple businesses, they remodeled and opened up areas to create one business, Morgan Florist. Keeping the name of Morgan Florist, the business was then sold to their daughter and her husband, Jan and Jim Vollmer. The floral shop changed hands numerous times over the years. Owning the business as well as the building was Larry Wuethrich, Stella Wendt, Perry and Sally Neihouser. It was during these years the name changed to Village Greenery. The next owners were Dean and Wilma Tanner and then Deb and Bill Boehning. The Boehnings originally opened the Country Color floral shop on Hwy 421, at the present day Meadow Spring event venue. They moved their business to a small shop on E. Montgomery St. Thus at one time, the town of Francesville had two flower shops! The Boehnings bought out the Village Greenery and moved their business,Country Color, to its present location. Becky and Tim Ballard bought the building and business from the Boehnings. They later sold the building to Tim Troxel who then rented them the space for Country Color. It has just been in the last several months that the Ballards bought the building back again.
Country Color is not just a flower shop. In addition to fresh flowers, live plants and silk arrangements, the store offers candles, small gifts, framed pictures, wind chimes, balloons, and various small gifts. The store services funeral needs, weddings, proms, birthdays, and all holidays. Country Color employs three people. They all agree that Francesville provides many wonderful customers! Becky, owner and manager, would love to have more customers and hopes with the new businesses coming to town, there will be more people stopping in Country Color to check out the wide variety of gifts and flowers they have to offer. Country Color has a great history and a great future in Francesville!
Country Color is located on the southeast corner of Bill and Montgomery Streets. This building was originally built in 1890. It has seen many improvements over the years, as well as numerous owners. At one time it housed a barbershop, pool hall, and a restaurant. In the late 1960’s, Glenn and Dorothy Morgan purchased the building from Cecil Kopka. Instead of multiple businesses, they remodeled and opened up areas to create one business, Morgan Florist. Keeping the name of Morgan Florist, the business was then sold to their daughter and her husband, Jan and Jim Vollmer. The floral shop changed hands numerous times over the years. Owning the business as well as the building was Larry Wuethrich, Stella Wendt, Perry and Sally Neihouser. It was during these years the name changed to Village Greenery. The next owners were Dean and Wilma Tanner and then Deb and Bill Boehning. The Boehnings originally opened the Country Color floral shop on Hwy 421, at the present day Meadow Spring event venue. They moved their business to a small shop on E. Montgomery St. Thus at one time, the town of Francesville had two flower shops! The Boehnings bought out the Village Greenery and moved their business,Country Color, to its present location. Becky and Tim Ballard bought the building and business from the Boehnings. They later sold the building to Tim Troxel who then rented them the space for Country Color. It has just been in the last several months that the Ballards bought the building back again.
Country Color is not just a flower shop. In addition to fresh flowers, live plants and silk arrangements, the store offers candles, small gifts, framed pictures, wind chimes, balloons, and various small gifts. The store services funeral needs, weddings, proms, birthdays, and all holidays. Country Color employs three people. They all agree that Francesville provides many wonderful customers! Becky, owner and manager, would love to have more customers and hopes with the new businesses coming to town, there will be more people stopping in Country Color to check out the wide variety of gifts and flowers they have to offer. Country Color has a great history and a great future in Francesville!