Rooted in tradition: Local flower shop marks 125 years amid biggest week of the year

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Valentine's Day is just a couple of days away.

This year, Welke's Milwaukee Florist is celebrating a little extra as they get ready for the busiest time of the year.

"I love the chaos it's so much fun," said Nikki Lemler, fifth generation owner.

"We probably have 26 drivers that will be going around continually coming through making deliveries for us," said David Lang, fourth generation owner.

This Valentine's Day the family-owned shop is celebrating more than just their love for each other, they're marking 125 years in business.

"It's phenomenal, I feel like it's such an honor to carry on the family legacy and to be part of it

Lang says their family's history in Milwaukee runs deep, when they came to the area from Germany at the turn of the 20th century.

"They came over on one of the ships to Ellis Island and they immigrated here to Milwaukee," said Lang.

Through wars, economic collapse and the Great Depression, Lang says the business has stood through it all.

"During the Depression my dad would always tell me how difficult it was. I see the business has changed now we get about 80-85% of our flowers from South America back in the 50s and 60s they were all growing here," said Lang.

The family agrees the best part is the people who walk through their doors.

"I immediately feel in love with it. I mean we deliver emotions; we deliver happiness to everybody. There so powerful when you can't be there to give someone a hug," Lemler explained.

Three generations still work in the back of the shop; they hope their legacy will continue for another century.

"I want to keep carrying on the tradition and keep everything growing and still honor our family's legacy and just keep it going," said Lemler.