Great gifts can be found in unexpected places — this series profiles Ann Arbor small businesses in an effort to support our community by encouraging readers to shop local this holiday season!

Henriette Rowland smiled from across the counter as Jack Johnson played from the speakers. “It’s a great gift, a plant,” said Rowland, a University Flower Shop Manager. “Something that’s growing, but also a cool pot to put it in, so that when the plant is all done, you have something leftover—to keep reusing.”

The store, established in 1931, sits nestled deep in Nickel’s Arcade — a small business in both senses of the word. It sells housing wares like colorful vases and pots, planting kits, and, of course, flowers of all kinds and colors.

“A lot of people that come in here will find a pot that they really like, and really cool succulents and cacti, things like that that we can plant for them,” said Rowland when asked about her personal University Flower Shop gift recommendations.

The University Flower Shop’s website features their online store, information about events and arrangements, and the details of their 2017 Holiday Workshop Series. The University Flower Shop store, site, and staff all deserve a big, green thumbs up, so be sure to visit the site or stop by this holiday season when doing your shopping!