Thomsen Family of Pierre Named 2004 South Dakota Retailer of the Year
A family which has operated the Pierre Flower Shop and Greenhouse in Pierre for two generations is the recipient of the 2004 South Dakota Retailer of the Year Award.
Tommy, Mickey, Wally and Nancy Thomsen were honored at the South Dakota Retailers Association annual Awards Banquet in Pierre January 12th. The event was attended by state legislators, and retailers from throughout the state.
The Thomsen family was chosen for the award by a committee of retailers from throughout the state because of the important role they have played not only in the retail community, but in all aspects of life in Pierre. They were nominated for the honor by employees, business colleagues, and dozens of customers.
The Thomsen family purchased a greenhouse at the south end of Pierre's main street in 1951. The following spring they held a Palm Sunday Open House, which has now been held annually for over 50 years, and attracts hundreds of visitors. They have also established a tradition of hosting a Christmas Open House. Other businesses in the community have followed suit, turning both into community-wide promotions. The Thomsens also implemented Good Neighbor Day locally, inviting area residents to get a dozen roses for free, keep one for themselves, and distribute the remaining roses to eleven friends and neighbors.
The Thomsens have survived through tough times, including suffering major losses during a devastating flood in 1952. They rebuilt their downtown business, and later added a nursery and landscaping center east of Pierre.
The entire family has been active in the community, working tirelessly on behalf of civic, charitable, church, school, and legislative activities. As former Pierre Mayor Gary Drewes stated, “They are always the first to step forward and give of themselves and of their business to community efforts.”
Among the four of them they have volunteered and given of their time to many local and state organizations, including the City Council, Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce, Pierre Elks Lodge, State Elks Association, Kiwanis Club, Rotary, Housing Authority, Izaak Walton League, Community Concert, the Right Turn, Hospice, the Inaugural Committee, South Dakota Municipal League, the South Dakota Florists Association, and the South Dakota Retailers Association.
Notes Karl Fischer of Fischer Rounds and Associates in Pierre, “Business owners are expected to step up to the plate to donate their time, expertise and inventory. The Thomsen family has done more than their share, not only because of their love of the community, but because they want everything they are associated with to be a success.”
Tommy Thomsen spearheaded efforts to turn an eyesore area of the community into what is now SteamboatPark along the Missouri River. And, befitting a family in the flower and landscaping business, they also play a key role in the Pierre Petunia Project. When local resident Shan Burke first suggested planting petunias along all the main thoroughfares in the city two decades ago, the Thomsens jumped in enthusiastically. Every year, they plant thousands of petunias in their greenhouse, help till and fertilize soil along the city’s main streets and highways, and help coordinate the planting of petunias by volunteers. The project led to Pierre being named the Family Circle Magazine Community of the Year.
"They symbolize everything good about a retail operation," says Ellen Lee of St. Mary's Foundation in Pierre. "They run a very healthy business. Customer service is a number one priority for the owners, and it also shows in all of their employees. And, as a community supportive business, they are second to none."
"They are salt of the earth people," adds Charles Schroyer. "They are always the first people to offer assistance when any type of crisis occurs. They helped to make the entire community a better place to live."
The Retailer of the Year Award has been presented annually since 1982 by the South Dakota Retailers Association, a 3,900-member statewide business organization.
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