Reflecting: Lailon Dorsey of Lailon’s Flowers looks back on his 62-year career
Not many people can say that they have been in the same business for 62 years, but Lailon Dorsey can. After 62 years in the floral business, 53 of those in the same shop, Dorsey is finally saying goodbye. As he prepared to lock the door for the last time, Dorsey took some time to reflect on his career.
Dorsey first worked in a grocery store for $5 per day for twelve-hour days Monday through Friday, then worked three extra hours on Saturday for $6 per day.
“I started with Mrs. Hazel Love at Love Floral Co. on Mar. 17, 1958, also working for $5 per day. I realized quickly that there was not enough business to be a delivery boy full time, so I was determined to learn how to make sprays,” said Dorsey.
Mrs. Love’s daughter-in-law, Grace, believed in Dorsey and allowed him to learn how to make sprays on his own time.
“Within about three months, I learned how to make casket sprays and was making most of the family sprays,” he said.
Then in 1962, Hazel Love sold the business to Dorsey, and he worked there for five years under the Love’s Floral Co. name.
Finally, in 1967, Dorsey moved to his present location on East Jefferson Street and changed the name of the business to Lailon’s Flowers.
It was only then that he began to make more than $5 per day.
“Mrs. Love offered me a good opportunity to purchase the business, and I was determined to make a success out of it,” said Dorsey.
Dorsey has seen many changes in the business over the years.
“Ordering online is a big thing now, and a lot of people do other things in lieu of flowers. There’s been a general downturn in the floral business,” said Dorsey.
He said the recent pandemic contributed to his decision to retire now.
“COVID-19 is also killing a lot of small businesses. I had planned to retire anyway, but it turned out that this is a good time to do it,” he said.
During retirement, Dorsey and his wife Frankie plan to spend time visiting their grandchildren in Maryland. They also will keep busy with projects around the house.
Dorsey said he will also continue his activities at First United Methodist Church, where he sings in the choir and is a member of the Passion Play cast.
