By Kimberly Gasuras, Freelance Jornalist | FreeWire — Your News, Your Voice
BUCYRUS—Long-time business owner Sue Stander has spent her career helping area
residents through the worst of times and the best of times.
“We see people when they are grieving and at their lowest, but we also see people
when they are very happy because they are getting married or celebrating some other
milestone in their lives,” said Stander, who has owned and operated Norton’s Flowers
since 1991.
She has created thousands of flower arrangements over her 50 years in the horticulture
industry.
“We sell emotions, not flowers. We became friends with people and created
arrangements for the exciting times in their lives and the sad ones too,” said Stander.
“It’s always been about the customers and what they needed at that moment.”
Stander fell in love with the field of horticulture at a young age.
“When I was growing up, my neighbor was a first-grade teacher who planted a garden
every year with only one thing in it. She called it the specimen garden,” said Stander
with a smile.
Stander began helping with the garden and was hooked when it came to all things
related to plants and flowers.
“I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” said Stander.
She began working at the greenhouse for Norton’s Flowers that was located on Kaler
Avenue in 1974 and the flower shop in 1979. She graduated from ATI (Agriculture
Technical Institute), and eventually, she purchased Norton’s Flower Shop.
“Norton’s was founded by Fernand J. Norton in 1882,” said Stander. “I purchased the
business from the Hoskinsons, who had bought it from the Nortons.”
More than three decades later, Stander will pass the torch to a new owner when she
retires on Dec. 31.
“I sold the business to Kip and Katie Wentling from Upper Sandusky,” said Stander.
As a Bucyrus business owner, Stander gave her time and energy to many events in the
community, including the annual Candlelight Christmas in downtown Bucyrus. This
year’s event on Dec. 4 kicked off with a proclamation from Mayor Bruce Truka in honor
of Stander.
“Sue Stander has been a pillar of service and dedication in our community,” said Truka
of the one-time citizen-of-the-year award winner.
Crawford County Chamber of Commerce Director Becky Lutz thanked Stander for all
the years she has dedicated to helping Bucyrus bloom.
“From flowers showing up just for the heck of it to her countless efforts supporting local
businesses, her passion, creativity, and community spirit have touched so many,” said
Lutz.
Throughout the Christmas event, a line of people made their way through Norton’s
Flowers to wish Stander well on her retirement.
Many agreed with Lutz when she told Stander that she will be deeply missed, but her
legacy will be cherished for years to come.
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