Cottonwood Florist to become third Palmer Flowers location

Editor’s note: Connie Otto’s name was incorrectly spelled in an earlier version of this story.

GREELEY — Longtime Northern Colorado florist Palmer Flowers LLC, based in Fort Collins, has expanded to Greeley with the purchase of Cottonwood Florist.  The store will have its grand re-opening at the beginning of October as the third Palmer Flowers location, joining Fort Collins and Loveland stores.

“I am so glad that Cottonwood will live on and thrive as the newest member to the growing Palmer Flowers family. In my 25 years of serving the Greeley community, I have always wanted to provide the very best to everyone who walks in the door. Knowing that Palmer Flowers has a stellar reputation in Fort Collins and Loveland and seeing its beautiful arrangements made the decision to sell an easy one,” Judy Jackson, founder and previous owner of Cottonwood Florist, said in a written statement. 

“We could not be happier to be connected to the longstanding history of Cottonwood Florist,” said Tim Jordan, president and partner of Palmer Flowers. “Judy and her team have served Northern Colorado wonderfully for years. I truly believe that this will be a partnership that will add to the strong foundation Judy has built.”

Spiro Palmer started Palmer Flowers in 1976. After immigrating to Northern Colorado from Greece, Palmer worked for his family floral shop in Boulder before opening his own in Fort Collins. 

“We really wanted to become the premier floral shop in the city, and I truly believe that we have done that,” Jackson said. “I have enjoyed seeing so many repeat customers come into Cottonwood and celebrate momentous life moments with us.”

Connie Otto founded Cottonwood in the late 1970s; it gets its namesake from the Cottonwood Shopping Center in Greeley where the original store was located. In 1997 Jackson and two other partners bought the location, outgrew its facility and moved to 4681 W. 20th St. 

Jordan said that Palmer always expected to move the brand east, and when Jackson’s business became available, “we moved quickly to make it happen.” 

Palmer Flowers will have about 110 employees, with numbers increasing to just over 220 during the holidays. Holiday sales account for 40% of annual sales of both artificial and fresh flowers and plants. Valentine’s Day remains the biggest day of the year, when employees make 1,110 deliveries. 

Nicole Lockwood, longtime Palmer employee and resident of Greeley, will be general manager of the new location. Palmer is an employee-owned company.

on Facebook on LinkedIn