Paige's Floral & Gifts up and running

DAYTON–One of Our Fair City's long-time institutions has changed ownership and name-but the vital products and services remain an important part of the community. And the mother-and-daughter combination again prevails.

Paige Aukerman, 19, and her mother, Laura Aukerman, are co-owners in Paige's Floral & Gifts, which succeeds Snapdragon Floral and Gifts, owned and operated by the mother-and-daughter team of Vicky Beckmeyer and Cara Watts.

The Aukermans continue a community institution which, with the Snapdragon tenure added to that of former owners, the late Ralph and Dorothy Croft, served the floral and gift needs of Dayton and the surrounding residents for upwards of 45 years at the 207 E. Main Street location.

Ownership changed hands on September 15 and since then, the Aukermans have been busy making changes.

"First and foremost, we want to be a flower shop," said Laura. Their plans include adding indoor plants and a variety of gifts. "We've opened up the cooler so people can walk in and see the flowers."

The shop will continue to carry Beckmeyer's selection of custom urns.

Paige's Floral does not plan to subscribe to a florist network, they said. "When you put a middleman in the process, they take a cut," Laura said. Besides, the Aukermans say, the world wide web has made floral network services obsolete.

Any customers who need help ordering flowers at a distant city may call or visit Paige's Floral for assistance, they say.

They will continue to create floral arrangements for weddings and funerals, holidays, and, of course, make corsages and boutonnieres for formal dances.

"We've been busy," Paige said. "We had three funerals in one weekend recently."

Standard offerings Dayton customers can expect are Jelly Belly jelly beans, gourmet chocolate and seasonal gifts for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and others. They'll make balloon bouquets, and there are greeting cards, plush toys, household décor and a large assortment of cookie cutters

"We're looking forward to decorating for Christmas," Paige said.

"The community has been amazing, and Paige and I appreciate all the support and kind words," Laura noted.

Paige's Floral will be open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday.

Lately, as they work to stock the store with new product, they've been open on Mondays. "If you see the light on, we're probably here," Paige says, "so come in and see us."

Paige is a 2019 graduate of Dayton High School, having attended school here from seventh through 12th grade. Her sister Morgan has been helping with the start up, and another sister, Jorie Freeman, works in administration at Columbia County Health System.

Laura may also be seen working part time as an environmental consultant to Columbia Pulp. She was a health physicist in the nuclear industry for about 30 years. Her husband Tony is the butcher at Dayton Mercantile.