Welke’s Milwaukee Florist Marks 125 Years With Community Party Sept. 18
MILWAUKEE / ELM GROVE, Wis. – Aug. 18, 2026 – Since opening its doors in 1901, Welke’s Milwaukee Florist has weathered two world wars, the Great Depression, the civil rights movement, the digital age, and even the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: helping generations of people celebrate life’s happiest occasions, express sympathy during its hardest moments, and stay connected to the people they love.
To mark the milestone, Welke’s is inviting the community to a special 125th anniversary party on Friday, Sept. 18, at Denizen in Milwaukee. The event begins at 6 p.m. It will feature food, drinks, music, floral artistry, historic photographs, and customer stories that reflect the company’s rich history and lasting connection to the people it has served for more than a century.
“Reaching 125 years isn’t something our family accomplished alone,” said Nikki Lemler, fifth-generation owner of Welke’s Milwaukee Florist. “It’s only possible because generations of customers, employees, and community partners have made Welke’s part of their lives. For 125 years, we’ve had the privilege of being there through life’s biggest moments and some of its most difficult ones. This anniversary is really a celebration of all of those relationships.”
Founded in 1901 by Emil and Emma Welke, the business began with a handful of cyclamen seeds brought from Germany. What started as a neighborhood greenhouse has grown into one of southeastern Wisconsin’s longest-standing family-owned florists.
To commemorate the anniversary, Welke’s launched its Share Your Story campaign, inviting customers to provide memories of the role the florist has played in their lives. Selected submissions and historic photographs will be incorporated into the Sept. 18 event.
Among the stories collected through the Share Your Story campaign is one from longtime customer Mary Ann Sendik, whose family’s relationship with Welke’s dates back to her grandparents.
“Welke’s has been part of our family’s celebrations for generations, starting with my grandparents and parents, then my siblings’ weddings and my own,” Sendik said. “More recently, they were there for my niece’s wedding, and when my daughter got married recently, there was never really a question about who we’d call for the flowers. They’re more than our florist; they’re part of our family’s story.”
The anniversary event will also support Dryhootch, a Wisconsin nonprofit serving veterans and their families. Guests can purchase Dryhootch coffee beans, roasted locally by Stone Creek Coffee, and make donations to support the organization. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Welke’s is celebrating a milestone half as old as the country itself, making the occasion a fitting opportunity to thank those who have served.
The event is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to RSVP at https://bit.ly/Welkes125
Those who would like to contribute to the Share Your Story campaign may also submit their memories for consideration here. Selected submissions may be featured as part of the anniversary event.
About Welke’s Milwaukee Florist
Founded in 1901, Welke’s Milwaukee Florist is a fifth-generation, family-owned florist serving southeastern Wisconsin. For 125 years, Welke’s has helped generations of customers celebrate life’s milestones and express love, gratitude, sympathy, and joy through flowers. Today, the company continues its tradition of quality, creativity and community connection from its locations at 5528 W. North Ave. in Milwaukee and 1020 Legion Dr. in Elm Grove. For more information, visit welkes.com.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
