Thirty years ago, Rob and Debbie Knowles began their florist business in a small building on North Main Street. Today, the shop has bloomed into a vision larger than the couple ever expected.
"From the very beginning, we have always been very family oriented," Andy Knowles said. "My sister, Cassie, and I grew up in the flower shop."
He recalled riding his tricycle through Rob's Flowers at 2 years old and turning over a display to waiting on customers at about 11 years old.
Cassie began designing flowers when she was about 10 years old and now her daughter, Lexi, who just turned 10, has began dabbling in arrangements.
"Cassie helped me wire corsages when she was no more than 10 years old," Rob said of his daughter.
Now, customers visiting the shop can be greeted by a variety of Rob and Debbie's seven grandchildren preparing to learn the ropes of the florist world.
Andy bought Rob's Flowers 10 years ago and moved the business to Vine Street with the opportunity for more space and a better location.
In 2016, the shop then moved to its current location on North Westwood Boulevard. Andy said the location is 7,500 square feet and better visibility.
"I didn't ever expect to be on the highway," Debbie said. "I also didn't expect to have five delivery vehicles."
In an average day, Andy said it's not unusual to have 15 to 20 deliveries, many stops having more than one item to be dropped off.
Moves have just been one of the many changes the family has seen over 30 years in the flower business.
Andy said one of those changes includes how flowers are processed, cared for and shipped.
"Thirty years ago, a lot of flowers came off a Greyhound bus from St. Louis," he said. "Today I can talk to a flower farm in South America and they can be FedEx in the next day."
Since the beginning, Rob's Flowers has offered flowers for all occasions, but with the expanding storefronts, gift items have been added over the years.
Hallmark cards can be picked up when purchasing flowers as well as home decor and high-end gift items such as the entire line of Willow Tree figurines, making Rob's Flowers a one-stop gift shop.
Not only has the way people order flowers changed over the years, but Andy said the occasions for which people receive a brightly colored bouquet has also changed.
Rob's Flowers added their first computer system in 1998. They were also the first florist shop in Poplar Bluff with a website. Before the technology, all tickets, invoices and statements were handwritten.
"It's common for 500 to 600 people to be invoiced per month, if not more," Andy said. "People now order over the phone and online and pay with debit cards."
The flower shop's busiest one day of the year continues to be Valentine's Day, followed by Mother's Day.
"That holiday has changed drastically," Andy said of Valentine's Day.
This year, the shop completed 1,500 deliveries and estimated another 700 items were carried out.
"Back 40 years ago, only the wife got presents," Andy said.
Rob said girlfriends seldom received a valentine when he began the business on North Main Street.
"You sure didn't send to your husband or kids," Andy added.
During the week leading up to Mother's Day, Andy reported the shop sells the equivalent of Valentine's Day flowers.
Nearly a third-generation flower shop, the Knowles described their spot in the flower world as "a legacy" to the family.
"It's enjoyable to make someone else's day," Cassie said. "Each family member has a different idea of what makes this enjoyable."
Funerals are a special part of what the family does in their business, Andy said.
During a loss, Andy has been able to create special items that represent a person to be displayed during a funeral. He has created arrangements featuring skateboards, an electric guitar, fishing poles, tools and row crops.
"It's the end result that you see a family is pleased that you have been able to help honor their loved one," he said. "We have taken people's passion in life and helped the family express that during loss."
Keeping the family tradition as a theme, Rob's Flowers wants to ensure customers feel the same when visiting the shop.
"We always want every customer to feel like we have treated them as family," Andy said.
Many in the area have become like family to the Knowles.
"We call and remind husbands of their anniversaries," Cassie said. "We have served families for 30 years from births, deaths, birthdays, weddings and proms."
Rob said he is now celebrating special occasions with the third generation of many families, much like his own.
"We married the grandparents, parents and now are doing proms for the kids," he said.
To celebrate 30 years in business, Rob's Flowers will feature specials throughout the week of Aug. 20-25.
Keep an eye on Rob's Flowers' Facebook page for giveaways, different items will be 30 percent off in store during the week as well as samples of Dip and Drink mixes.
A dozen premium long stem roses arranged in a vase will be have a special price all week while supplies last. This special only applies to carry-out orders.
The celebration will wrap-up Saturday with Rob's Flowers giving away a year's worth of flowers, just as they did 30 years ago.
Customers will need to come in store to register for the prize, which will include a bouquet a month for the next year beginning in September.
Rob's Flowers is located at 1875 N. Westwood Boulevard and open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the summer. They can be reached at 573-785-8661, toll-free at 888-420-ROBS or online at robsflowers.com.
"We are very grateful to Poplar Bluff for being with us 30 years and their loyalty," Andy said.