Wild Flower Florist to Keep Blooming

Kathy Luther isn't going anywhere -- unless it's to a smaller building.

The owner of at 233 Waseca Ave. said she has been getting calls about her going out of business because her building is linked to the granting of "package store" licenses in Barrington.

"The building is for sale," Luther said. "I'm trying to downsize, the way the economy is. So, I thought, why not put it on the market to see if anyone might want to open a liquor store here?"

Robert J. Healey Jr. wants to do just that. He has agreed to buy the building if the Town Council grants him a Class A liquor license.

"That's what brought us together," Luther said.

If she doesn't sell the building to Healey or anyone else, Luther said, "I'll probably be here for another 10 years."

If she does sell the building, she said, "I'll go somewhere else."

RE/MAX River's Edge is listing the building.

Luther said she built the 2,700-square-foot building to open the florist and gift shop 18 years ago "in my dad's backyard." Her father is Joseph DeSisto.

"It takes so long to build up a business," she said, "then a rumor starts. I just want to clear up that rumor."

In short, Luther said, "I am not retiring. I am not going out of business."