Nearly a century after its founding, a family flower business has opened a new storefront while remaining in the hands of its fifth generation. What began as a landscaping operation gradually became a floral institution known for elaborate arrangements, special events, and thoughtful gifts.
The expansion brings fresh bouquets, plants, and custom designs to a busy downtown setting, introducing the family’s work to customers who may never have visited its original neighborhood shops. It’s an unexpected new chapter for a business approaching a major anniversary.
I love how each generation has found a way to keep the original vision growing. Instead of relying only on tradition, the current owners are creating new opportunities while preserving the family name.
In Pennsylvania, this combination of history and ambition has helped a nearly century-old business reach an entirely new audience without losing its roots.
Five Generations Have Kept These Stems Growing
Robertson’s Flowers & Events began in 1927, when George Robertson and his eldest son, Charles, established a landscaping business in Philadelphia’s Chestnut Hill neighborhood.
George’s daughter Janet later introduced fresh-cut flowers to the family’s offerings. As demand grew, the business gradually shifted its focus from landscaping to floral design.
Today, the company is led by fifth-generation family members Taylor Ferry and Sarah Thom, George Robertson’s great-great-grandchildren. Their leadership continues a family tradition that will reach its 100th anniversary in 2027.
Through all of it, the family kept the doors open and the buckets full. That kind of staying power doesn’t happen by accident in any industry, let alone one built on blooms that only last days.
I believe the secret is that each generation added something new. One person might focus on weddings, while another pushes online ordering or fresh gift ideas.
The roots stay the same, but the branches keep spreading. It’s a little like a well-pruned rose bush, honestly.
For shoppers in Pennsylvania, that history matters. You’re not buying from a faceless chain that showed up last year.
You’re buying from a name that has shown up for birthdays, graduations, and hard goodbyes for decades. That’s a pretty comforting thing to tuck inside a card.
A Brand-New Shop After Nearly a Century Is a Bold Move
Opening a new shop is a big deal for any business. Doing it nearly 100 years after your founding takes real confidence.
Robertson’s Flowers & Events opened its newest storefront on August 20, 2026, inside The Concourse at Comcast Center, located at 1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard in Center City Philadelphia.
The new shop is the company’s first downtown Philadelphia location and its third retail storefront, joining established shops in Chestnut Hill and Bryn Mawr.
Visitors can browse fresh bouquets, indoor plants, custom floral arrangements, and a curated selection of gifts. The location also introduces customers to the company’s wedding and special-event design services.
Company president Taylor Ferry described the expansion as an opportunity to celebrate the approaching centennial while bringing the family’s work to a new generation of shoppers.
Here’s a fun way to look at it. The great-great-grandparents who started this business probably never pictured smartphones placing flower orders.
Yet their descendants are still finding new ways to reach customers. That mix of tradition and fresh thinking is rare.
If you already love the original store, the new shop gives you another reason to stop in. If you’re brand new to the name, it’s a perfect introduction.
Either way, Philadelphia gains one more spot where a single sunflower can turn a regular Tuesday around. A century in, this family clearly isn’t done blooming yet.
The Chestnut Hill Flagship Deserves a Slow Stroll
Germantown Avenue is one of those streets made for wandering. The flagship store sits right on it, at 8501 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118.
That puts it in Chestnut Hill, a neighborhood packed with independent shops. Flower shopping here can easily turn into a whole afternoon out.
The Chestnut Hill flagship at 8501 Germantown Avenue welcomes shoppers Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Sunday hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The newer Center City location at 1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard is currently listed as open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It is closed on Sundays.
Inside, fresh flowers share space with gifts and decor. One shopper even got inspired by a chandelier display and built her own version for her dining table.
The designer who made the store chandelier helped her plan it out. That’s the kind of creative spark this place seems to hand out freely.
Plan to browse instead of rushing. The shelves reward people who take a second look.
Bring a short list of birthdays coming up. You might knock out three gifts before you even reach the counter, which feels like winning at adulthood.
Arrangements That Look Exactly Like the Photo
Ordering flowers online can feel unpredictable. The picture shows a dreamy bouquet, but the arrangement that arrives may not always match expectations.
Robertson’s Flowers & Events works hard to avoid that letdown. Several customers point out that their arrangements matched the online photos closely.
The designs lean full, colorful, and carefully balanced. Seasonal stars like peonies and dahlias show up when they’re at their best.
One fun detail is the use of unexpected greenery. A touch of fresh mint tucked among roses and peonies?
That’s a small surprise that makes a big impression.
Orchids and succulents are also on the menu for people who want something that sticks around. They’re great picks for friends who forget to water things.
Here’s a practical tip for any flower gift. Trim the stems at an angle and change the water every couple of days.
Keep the vase away from heaters and sunny windowsills too. Fresh blooms from a careful florist deserve a little care at home.
With those simple habits, an arrangement can brighten a room for days. That’s a lot of happiness packed into one vase.
Gift Shelves Full of Philly Pride and Odd Little Treasures
Flowers are the headline, but the gift section steals plenty of attention. Robertson’s stocks stationery, home decor, and curious oddities you won’t spot at the mall.
There’s also a lineup of Philly-focused items. Hometown pride makes a surprisingly good present, especially for someone who moved away.
A card plus a vase of blooms is lovely. Add a quirky Philadelphia keepsake, and suddenly you look like a gifting genius.
That one-stop setup saves real time. You can handle the flowers, the card, and the extra treat in one visit.
Hostess gifts are a smart use of this section. Showing up to dinner with something thoughtful beats a store-bought snack every time.
Housewarming parties are another easy win. A small decor piece paired with a plant feels personal without costing a fortune.
My advice? Keep a mental list of the people in your life who are hard to shop for.
Those folks are exactly who these shelves are built for. Grab something unusual, wrap it nicely, and enjoy the confused-but-delighted look on their face.
Wedding Flowers That Make Guests Lean In Closer
Weddings are where the “& Events” part of the name really shines. The team designs bouquets, altar arrangements, and full reception decor.
Big celebration or tiny ceremony, they scale to fit. Some couples ask for just a few bouquets, while others want every table covered.
One couple only requested greenery and a meadow-like feel. The designers turned that short wish list into exactly what the pair had in mind.
Another wedding at Philadelphia’s Water Works featured tall pillars with floating candles. Small touches like sprigs on dinner plates finished the look.
The process usually involves proposals and mood boards. Designers adjust details to match a couple’s vision and budget.
Flexibility seems to be a strength here. Adding items a couple of weeks before the big day didn’t throw things off for one Pennsylvania couple.
If you’re planning a wedding, start with photos you love. Even a handful of saved images helps a designer understand your style fast.
Be honest about your budget early too. Good florists can work magic with clear numbers, and nobody wants a surprise bill with the cake.
Breakfast-Speed Delivery Is a Real Possibility
One customer placed an online order at 7 AM. The flowers landed at her friend’s door by 9:15 AM.
That’s faster than some of us finish our coffee. Same-day delivery makes Robertson’s a lifesaver for forgotten birthdays.
The online ordering system is simple to use. Shoppers can browse arrangements, pick one, and check out without a phone call.
Delivery notifications are another handy perk. You don’t have to wonder whether your special person actually got the bouquet.
The team also handles tricky situations with care. When a hospital ward didn’t allow fresh flowers, staff arranged home delivery after the patient was discharged.
That kind of problem-solving matters most when you live far away. Many customers order from other states to reach family in Philadelphia.
A loyalty program rewards people who order often. If you send flowers several times a year, it’s worth signing up.
For the best results, order early on busy holidays like Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Fast service is great, but giving florists extra time is always the kinder move.
December Turns the Shop Into a Holiday Workshop
Evergreens, berries, and candles take over when winter rolls in. Robertson’s is well known for its Christmas decorations and holiday centerpieces.
A fresh centerpiece instantly upgrades a holiday table. It also smells far better than anything plastic from a box.
Hosting a big family dinner? A ready-made arrangement saves you from wrestling with glue guns at midnight.
Holiday gifts are easy to handle here as well. Flowers, plants, and decor make thoughtful presents for teachers, neighbors, and coworkers.
Here’s a fun bit of perspective. This family has been decorating Philadelphia holidays for close to a century.
That means some local families may have had Robertson’s arrangements on their tables for generations. Talk about a festive tradition.
Want your centerpiece to last through New Year’s? Keep it away from the fireplace and mist the greenery every few days.
Order holiday pieces early, since December is a busy time for every florist. Then sit back and accept compliments on your excellent taste.
Plan Your Visit Like a Chestnut Hill Pro
Smart visitors treat a florist stop like part of a bigger outing. Chestnut Hill makes that easy with its walkable stretch of Germantown Avenue.
Start at Robertson’s Flowers & Events and pick up a bouquet. Then browse the neighborhood’s independent shops while your flowers wait safely in the car.
Weekday mornings are a good time for relaxed browsing. Saturdays work too, and the shop stays open until 5 PM.
Sunday visitors get a shorter window from 11 AM to 4 PM. Plan accordingly if you’re squeezing in a weekend errand.
Not sure what to choose? Tell the staff who the flowers are for and what that person loves.
Florists are basically matchmakers for blooms and people. A few details about favorite colors or the occasion go a long way.
Out-of-towners exploring Pennsylvania can make this a memorable stop. It’s a living piece of Philadelphia history with fresh stems in every bucket.
Five generations built this place one arrangement at a time. Stop in, grab something beautiful, and become part of the next chapter.
