Longtime Cedar Rapids florist closing up shop

Stejskal Florists, which began as a greenhouse operated by Czech immigrants on C Street SW over a century ago, will close on Feb. 25.

Sally and Ken Stejskal, the latest family members to have the business, have been running it for 40 years. They have sold the property at 2316 Bowling St. SW where the business has been operating as a floral shop since 1948.

Sally said discretionary flower purchases have been down since the recession, but that wasn't the reason they decided to close.

“Everybody reaches a point in life where they have to make a decision about what they're going to do,” said Sally, 69. After decades of working seven days a week and most holidays, she said having some time off will be “great.”

The shop has put everything on sale. Sally said she's not at liberty to discuss the plans of the property's buyers.