General Info:
Chris Engel's Greenhouse was founded in 1883. We've been the flower business for over 120 years, and always at the same location. We're not that little flowershop in the mall, or just a far away voice on the telephone. We're a family owned and run business, stretching over six generations.Living on Harsen's Island near the shipping channel in the St. Clair River has given Arlene Earl the chance to watch the world sail by. With a spirit of adventure in her soul, Arlene began waving to the boats over the years. Occasionally a crew would line up to give her a salute. "When they gave me a really good salute, I would call the flower shop saying 'Get some flowers down to the Westcott ( mail boat ).' The large ocean-going freighters from across the world would get fresh flowers delivered along with the mail. It got to be a thing--after a few years word got out, up and down the river, and pretty soon the crews were saying 'Where is the Flower Lady?'--and they would line up and give a really smart salute.""The Power of Flowers" is a real thing. Here you have 35 guys living on a piece of steel, with no living greenery on it. Captains have written numerous letters and notes telling what a positive effect the flowers have on the crew. "Your flowers have brought this crew together...they look forward to receiving the flowers...it's a much appreciated gesture."An author doing a book on Great Lakes shipping, and sailing on a freighter to get background on his book, heard about the "Flower Lady" from the crew. Seeing that the flowers had such an impact on the crew, he sought her out and has included an entire chapter on Arlene and her extraordinary impact floral gesture.In addition to the arrangements sent throughout the year, 30-40 centerpieces are sent to the passing freighters for Thanksgiving and Christmas.Arlene Earl is a member of the International Shipmasters' Association, Detroit Lodge No. 7, and is often invited aboard for summertime trips on many of the big freighters.