Business is blooming at 123-year-old florist for Mother’s Day

MILWAUKEE — In the midst of inflation affecting the economy, Welke’s Florist, a longstanding establishment in Milwaukee, saw a surge in sales ahead of Mother’s Day.

David Lang and his daughter, Nikki Lemler, said they have been tirelessly work around the clock to meet the escalating demand.

“It’s very busy,” said Lemler. “It’s fun. It’s organized chaos.”

From Friday to Mother’s Day on Sunday, Welke’s anticipated delivering over 2,000 bouquets.

“You’re waking up and thinking, ‘Ok, am I going to have enough drivers?’” said Lang.  “’Are you going to have enough of this?’ You know, ‘Are you going to have enough processers?’  You know, it’s not just one person.”

With over a century of experience, Welke’s, a family-run business spanning five generations, has weathered economic fluctuations. But Lang said the shop has maintained its commitment to quality.  

They started small by cultivating cyclamen seeds brought from Germany.

“My great grandfather back in 1901 immigrated from Germany,” said Lang. “He was a grower over in Germany and started greenhouses here in Milwaukee.”

The business has kept blooming through good and bad times.

“It’s a unique business,” said Lang. “It’s something that you can call in the morning and have something custom made and still delivered the same day.”

Lemler said despite some rising supply costs, Welke’s has experienced increased sales.

“I personally believe that Mother’s Day has become more [of] a traditional holiday and people are kind of going back to the traditional roots of giving mom something,” said Lemler.

The father-daughter team said their goal is to bring happiness to every customer.

“We deliver smiles,” said Lemler. “We make everybody happy.”