Ruth Chase Flowers plants roots on Church Street

Ruth Chase Flowers has a new location in New Milford, in a historic building on Church Street.

Luisa Amaral moved her business from its 4 Main St. location into the old firehouse building at 19 Church St., across the street from Town Hall.

Mrs. Amaral said she couldn't resist having the expansive, 2,500 square feet of retail space.

She found the building, built circa 1880, to be "amazing."

"We're settled in," said she said recently. "We have four designers now and two drivers. We have much more display space."

Mrs. Amaral bought the business in June 2008 from Bill Granata of New Milford. She is the fourth owner of Ruth Chase Flowers in the business' 66-year history.

The new shop still offers wedding and funeral arrangements, tropical arrangements and plants and flowers imported from Holland.

Ruth Chase also has a number of indoor plants and outdoor blooming plants. A variety of gift baskets, with either or both fruit and gourmet products, are also available.

The flower shop is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information or to place orders, call 860-355-1111 or visit the website www.ruthchaseflowers.com.

-- Susan Tuz

Photography by Norm Cummings