PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WLOX) - In this week’s Behind the Business, we’re in Pascagoula at a shop that’s been around for decades— eight to be exact.
Pugh’s Floral Shop on Market Street has been a part of families’ times of both celebration and sorrow for 80 years.
Generation after generation has helped the shop blossom into a staple of the Flagship City.
“Momma opened this flower shop in 1945, right after the war had ended, both wars,” said Joe Martin. “She opened this flower shop in Pascagoula over on Krebs Avenue, and then she went from there with Daddy to Pascagoula Street, then they moved here.”
Martin says his mother was raising him and his three young siblings when she opened the shop.
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The back of the shop has different work stations, lots of ringing phones, and of course, countless beautiful blooms.
From funeral arrangements to festive holiday work, there’s not a day that goes by that the goal to make an impact isn’t met.
“One of the things that we really pride ourselves on at Pugh’s is being a part of celebrations of life for people,” said Kimberly Rasmussen, finance manager and retail buyer for the shop. “I mean, it’s always a really sad time, but we appreciate trying to bring a little bit of joy through flowers to those celebrations.”
Pugh’s gets daily deliveries of fresh flowers, which are kept in buckets around the building. Over time, staff has learned the best conditions in which to store different types of flowers.
Over time, the Martin family has expanded the shop to include a wide range of small business merchandise, such as local art and jewelry.
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“We really pride ourselves on trying to feature a lot of Mississippi artists,” Rasmussen said.
“My highlight is if you come in that front door, I’m gonna meet you, I’m gonna greet you, I’m gonna take care of what you need,” Martin said. “I’m gonna make sure you get what you need, and I’m gonna make sure when you walk out that door, you’re gonna be satisfied. And not only are you gonna be satisfied, you’re gonna tell all your family, all your friends... And that’s what keeps people coming back to Pascagoula.”
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