All Occasions Flowers & Gifts owner JoAnn Chumley grateful for decades of support
By Eric Thomas
When operating a business, one can run the gamut of emotions; however, the benefits from a business can especially provide millions of good feelings in return. Working in the flower industry brings countless hours of sharing blooming beauties and an array of fragrant sentiments — the rewards are endless.
After 37 years of bringing smiles to innumerable customers, JoAnn Chumley is hanging up her designer smock and passing on the keys to the business she nurtured, starting from when was a part-time delivery person, to the new owner.
In 1987, Chumley had an in-home clothing alteration business and she was also working as a seamstress at Kline’s Department Store when she was approached about delivering flowers for All Occasions Flowers & Gifts.
Marilyn Schierl and Rita Bourn began All Occasions in Schierl’s basement of her home near Murrayville in the late 1970s. The two started making silk flowers for weddings, homecomings and proms. This adventure led them to purchase the yellow house on the corner of South Clay and East Morton avenues. “When the city expanded Morton Avenue, we relocated to 635 E. Morton,” Chumley recalled. “I bought the business from Marilyn in 1997 and then relocated All Occasions Flowers & Gifts in 2011 to its current location at 229 S. Main.”
Over the years, Chumley has helped people with their weddings, big parties, funerals, graduations, holidays and birthdays. Bringing smiles to peoples’ faces brought so much joy. Also at the top of her memories are all of the shopping trips she made to the various markets throughout the years. Chumley went to Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Kansas City, Columbus, Myrtle Beach and St. Louis. “I enjoyed buying what I thought people would like in the Jacksonville area,” she remarked. “It was my time to enjoy a vacation away from the store.” She enjoyed meeting new sales representatives at the markets and forming business relationships with wholesale suppliers.
Oftentimes, the employees of All Occasions questioned Chumley’s purchases, that is until they would sell out of the item and have to reorder them. “After one shopping trip, I had purchased some bobbleheads and my employees thought I was crazy and drank one too many drinks at the market,” laughed Chumley. “We ended up having to order [more of] them because they were such a big hit.”
Another big hit was the Beanie Babies craze. “We had the longest lines outside our store over these little stuffed animals,” she recalled.
Holidays are common time to send flowers and Mother’s Day is Chumley’s favorite holiday. “Every mother deserves flowers,” she remarked. “I hope if you are reading this, you will consider sending your mom flowers this year.”
Her second favorite holiday is Valentine’s Day. “It is very intense, and a lot of planning goes into surviving the holiday. It’s the holiday where all my employees, some past employees, my kids and grandkids all pull together to make it happen.” One of her favorite things was getting her sister-in-law’s sugar cookies. All of the workers appreciated these cookies so much. There were many times during the holidays that customers brought in lunch or treats and Chumley has appreciated all of the extra kindness.
In reflecting on the decades of being in business, her employees have become family to her. Just like any family, they have shared all of the good and bad times together. Chumley is looking forward to meeting them for lunch. “I would like to thank my employees for the dedicated and faithful service to me,” she shared. “Tracy, Pam and Nancy all do wonderful designing. They have customers that come back and request them. They each have their own special talents and work well together.” She also talked about Reggie — he loves to deliver, and he also loves to sing to the customers.
She also mentioned Barb and talked about how she loves to help customers and deliver; she has a special knack for helping customers. Over the years Chumley has had other workers that she wishes to thank. Bob A. delivered for her and would strike up conversations with the people to whom he delivered. She also recalls Sue, Shirley, Pat, Krystal, Judy, Daphne, Mary, Jane, Leslie, Angie, Amanda, Claire, Rita, Theresa, Shannon, Joyce, Anita and Ashley. “I have been blessed with many great employees over the years. If I have forgotten someone, it is time for me to retire,” she chuckled.
In addition to all of the people that have worked for her, there is one more group she wishes to acknowledge — her family. Her daughter, Jennifer Kafer, started helping for fun when she was 10 years old. Kafer officially became an employee in December 1996. She has served as Chumley’s consultant, fixing everything that goes wrong. She waits on customers, uses her accounting knowledge to keep the books and corrects Chumley’s computer mistakes.
She also thanks her sons, Brian Chumley and Mike Chumley, and her son-in-law, Mike Kafer. They have helped her with accounting, flower cleaning, organizing, moving, delivering and many more things. “They have done so much for me, and I am so thankful they have been there,” Chumley added. “My daughter-in-laws, Stacy and Dakota, have helped at holidays waiting on customers.”
The last group of people she wants to thank is her grandkids: Hunter, Harrison, Austin, Alli, Hannah, Maddie and Wade. “They have helped me in so many ways,” she added. “They all have starred in either a radio commercial or Facebook ad.” Some have worked Saturdays, helped pricing merchandise, delivered during holidays, cleaned flowers, made arrangements, washed the floors, made sure the cash register worked and a lot more.
They all grew up at the store and they made many memories with their grandma. “My grandkids told me to tell everyone to Venmo me so I can go on vacations,” she laughed.
In retirement, JoAnn Chumley looks forward to not having to hurry back to work. She is excited to spend time with all of her grandkids and her friends. She also can’t wait to go on vacation and not have to worry about work.
Most of all, though, she wants to thank everyone for being a friend and supporting her business for all these years. “I would like to thank the funeral home directors and other business partners, as well as all my customers who were loyal to me over the years,” Chumley concluded. “I will miss all of you! I hope everyone will support the new owner and be patient as the kinks are worked out. If you support local businesses, they support you!”
