The Mail-Journal, Volume 29, Number 7, Milford, Kosciusko County, 28 March 1990 — Page 51

Rinker's Family Store serves needs of customers

Rinker’s Family Store, SR 13, North Webster, has a reputation for carrying many items which larger stores often don’t stock and have been serving customers from its present location for the past 24 years. Often it is found that customers at Rinker’s are from Fort Wayne, Goshen, Warsaw and other larger cities, looking for $ OV. (pWw .......

Country Home Floral Shoppe offers the best in design

Country Home Floral Shoppe, 624 North Huntington St., Syracuse, offers the best floral designs in the market. This is important when it comes to special occasions. Offering good quality work that is one of a kind and will hold together is one of trademarks of this Syracuse shop. One can sense the uniqueness of the shop, stepping into a warm atmosphere, displays on antique furniture, an open fire burning in the fireplace. Proudly displayed on the shelf is a photo of the shop owners with Baseball Hall of Fame’s Mickey Mantel, taken in conjunction with The Image Group and Carriage Inc., of Millersburg. The shop is the only floral shop in the lake area where its designers have taken professional schooling for design. Thus a wider range of designs can be offered.. Designs from the old fashioned fresh look to the newest in high style can be given. Since there are professional designers at the shop, the local business is a member of the Society of American Florist. SAF offers members meetings and conventions to update them on new styles, plus design contests for the professional designers. Business is not all floral designs. The shop caters to most any occasion. Items ranges from ceramic gifts to stuffed animals to balloons. A recent addition onto the rear of the shop provides more room for their unique inventory of gift items. From Victorian pillows to various shapes and arrangements of Everlastings (dried flowers), there is something for everyone at the gift shop. A complete line of fine food items are also available in the shop. These items are ideal for one who is putting together a gift basket, or for the individual who enjoys using these items. Some of the food items include hot party dips, short breads, and much, much more. Also in the new addition is a bridal section with veils, floral ideas, and wedding invitations, to name a few items. New to the gift addition is a complete line of new bath items. Again, these make wonderful gifts or make wonderful accessories to personal bath items. Those receiving a special delivery during the various holiday seasons are given an extra special surprise. The shop has its delivery people dressed for those occasions. At Christmas time, deliveries were made by Santa Claus; for Valentine’s Day, cupid will make deliveries. This has been a big hit. The shop subscribes to the nation's two top wire services, FTD and Teleflora. These

products that can be found in the store. Alice Rinker, owner of the store since its inaugural inception in Anderson 38 years ago, stated, “We try something new every year, always finding new ways to get it in. We may not sell everything well, that we stock, but we believe you have to provide it for the customers’ needs in an area such as ours.” This philosophy has led Rinker’s to a successful tenure, adding new customers to the already large number of “old customers.” “We let people roam the store, encouraging them to come in and spend time,” remarked Rinker. Touching on all of the “necessary products,” Rinker’s is able to accommodate its customers through a variety store organization in Chicago, which is able to deliver products to the northeastern store quickly. Rinker’s has one of the largest selection of craft books and instructions in northern Indiana, which compliment the wide variety of materials and DMC embroider floss. The craft department in the store is recognized for its versatility. Karleen Richards, employee for the past 24 years, is prepared to assist customers with new, as well as old, crafts. Instructions and material are available for counted cross stitch, quilting with VIP calico, stenciling, knitting, crocheting, wooden items for painting and Ceramcoat paints as well as country acrylic.

services provide customers with complete wedding service, hospital arrangements, silk arrangements, helium balloons; house plants and home arrangements, special occasion florals and funeral arrangements. Along with the wire service is a computerized system allowing orders to be sent quicker while also getting them in sooner. Harder to find flowers are also found easier with this system. Customers can find they can call an order in the morning an have it ready that same day. There is also daily delivery to all local hospitals. Orders are delivered within a 30-mile radius of Syracuse. Weekly specials are common. Flowers come to the store from all over the world, giving customers assurance of top quality produce. Jayne Timmons, owner of the business, along with her son Rich, Jr., have 21 years combined experience in floral arranging. This has helped provide customers with quick friendly service. Timmons is a graduate of American Floral Arts, Chicago. He was named one of the state’s top three designers in 1985. Also involved in the shop’s operation are Richard Timmons, Sr., and the couple’s other son and his wife, Greg and Janet Timmons. Mrs. Timmons has studied floral arranging at Indiana University, South Bend. Both attend wire floral sponsored seminars and classes keeping up on the new styles, colors and home decor, along with refining their skills. Country Home Floral Shoppe is currently open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

PROGRESS EDITION — Wed., March 28, 1990

Other areas include men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and shoes, outdoor supplies, sewing goods, jewelry, stationary and numerous other products. Already the shelves are being prepared for the summer season, adding inflatables, tables, chairs and other summer goods to its full line of winter accessories. Last year a 20-foot by 65-foot addition was built on the front and side of the store, allowing for more showroom space in all areas. Summer months always bring several new customers to the area, but Rinker

t j" 11 fc NEW FRONT — Rinker’s Family Store, SR 13, North Webster, expanded last year with a 20 feet by 65 feet addition to the front of the store. The addition provided extra display areas for the variety of products available in the store. Rinker’s Family Store has a reputation for carrying many items larger stores often don't stock.

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reports that year-round business is "excellent.” However, the store's staff increases to 18 during the summer season. “We attract the customers for the same reason we have in the past 24 years, our service is good,” Rinker pointed out. Rinker’s is currently open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m., to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m., to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m., to 4 p.m. At the start of the summer season hours will be extended to 9 am., to 8 p.m., daily andfrom9a.m.,tosp.m.,onSunday.