×

Dudley’s Florist moves into former Rossi Pasta

Donnette Reed works on a flower arrangement at the new Dudley’s Florist location on Front Street in Marietta. (Photo by Michele Newbanks)

MARIETTA — It’s only been a couple of months since Rossi Pasta closed its doors, but a well-known local business has moved into its former location at 106 Front St., Marietta.

Dudley’s Florist opened its doors on Sept. 6, just in time for the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival and First Fridays.

“We weren’t even fully set up yet,” said owner Marc Fowler. “We said we have to be open by then with the sternwheel festival and First Fridays. It took a little longer that day to get everything set up and moved, but we opened at 5 p.m.”

Fowler and his wife, Heather, bought Dudley’s in December 2017 and had their shop at 215 Second St., for approximately two years, said Donnette Reed, manager of the Dudley’s Florist in Parkersburg.

Reed said she fills in when the manager at the Marietta shop needs time off.

“I enjoy working in Marietta,” she said. “The people here are great.”

The owner of the location on Second Street also owns the one on Front Street, so when Front Street became available, Dudley’s was offered the chance to move in, Fowler said.

“They are doing renovations to the old building we were in,” Fowler said. “They were great working with us; they just needed the lower floor. They had the Front Street location and offered it to us.”

He said the owners did some needed renovations on the Front Street property before the florist shop moved in.

“We’re in the same location as Rossi Pasta, which we were sad to see go,” he said.

Fowler said he and his wife were excited about moving locations.

“Heather and I worked there the Friday of the sternwheel festival and we had a lot of people come in and they liked the new location and they were happy we’re on Front Street,” Fowler said. Marietta Main Street sponsors the First Fridays, in which downtown shops and restaurants are open later and each month has a different theme.

“We knew Front Street had a great community with the businesses,” Fowler said.

Dudley’s Florist in Marietta is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday and closed on Sundays.

Michele Newbanks can be reached at mnewbanks@mariettatimes.com.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today