R.W. Troxell Insurance, 214 S. Grand Ave. W. (L). Carter’s Fish Market, 1900 S. Grand Ave. E. (R).
South Grand corridor boasts business
Businesses profit from central Springfield spot
By Gabe House, Correspondent
As Springfield continues unabated with its manifest destiny, moving inexorably outwards in every direction, there is one thoroughfare in town that continues to plug along. South Grand Avenue, bisecting the capital city, runs the gamut from specialized home-based businesses on the west end to more traditional retail outlets on the east with a smattering of everything in between.
Although one might argue that the west side of Springfield is the true commercial heart of town with its big box stores, White Oaks Mall and numerous restaurants, South Grand Avenue easily holds its own along its nearly four miles of real estate.
For Ann Montgomery and Joan Chobanian, co-owners of Flowers by Mary Lou at 105 S. Grand Ave., it was easy to see the value of the floral shop they purchased in November of 2011.
“It’s been in that location for over 50 years,” Montgomery said of the three-story home functioning as a floral shop for more than half a century. “And it’s in a prime location. We’re pretty much in the middle of town as far as providing services to our customers. That’s the most beneficial part of it.”
Montgomery explained Flowers by Mary Lou is in close proximity to a good number of funeral homes as well, which has been quite a boon to their business.
As such, Montgomery and Chobanian expressed no desire to move the shop – “They pay too much money out there (on the west side),” Montgomery said – and, in fact, set about the process of remodeling parts of the building.
“We remodeled the office, and we did the front display area a little bit,” Montgomery said. “We’re getting ready to remodel our design room and put in new windows trying to make it a little more energy-efficient.”
