Roth's Flowers Out Of Business

Yesterday 07/09/2015) this was posted on Roth's Flowers Facebook page--"Well, we guess it's time to officially announce that Roth's Flowers closed last week after nearly 80 years of business. The owner, Dr. Marjorie Roth, is retiring at the age of 84. This business has been in the Roth family for four generations and it has been an institution in the West End for decades. Roth's Flowers was founded by Dr. Roth's parents, Clarence and Bernice, in 1936 and has been at its current location on Tilghman Street since 1948."

Although the wife and I were aware Marge could no longer keep the shop open for health reasons, this official announcement didn't make it any easier.

For 30 years we always bought our Christmas tree & wreaths from her. Our garden vegetable plants and spring flowers plantings as well.

I wonder just how many realize Marge held a osteopathic physician's license back in the day.

A Brief History
Her mother (Bernice) passed away in 1984. Bernice ran the store after losing her husband Clarence who started the business in 1936 along side her. The business started out in a tent located at 9th & Tilghman Streets.

Then they moved it to their home at 2150 Tilghman. Finally it was moved to it's present location 2126 West Tilghman when her brother joined the business.



I know things change. Sure we can buy plants somewhere else, but Marge being the owner leaves us with few other alternatives. Not only was her store nearby but she's a neighbor as well. I doubt we'll ever get the personal attention she gave us from most of these other shops. Nor will we have a better way of supporting a small local business like hers we try so hard to do.

I consider this another loss for the ever changing Allentown. Here was a business handed down generation to generation. Both she, her brother and parents all lived within blocks of this same area of Tilghman street all their lives. All were true Allentown natives.

While we both wish her well in whatever comes, know that we will always have fond memories of Roth's Flowers.