Resident florist moves business to brick-and-mortar shop

Since Artha DeRuyter arrived in town three years ago with her husband, clinical psychologist and current school board member John DeRuyter, she has provided flowers and floral arrangements for residents from their floating home in the harbor, in addition to selling her wares at other venues like the monthly community market at the Nolan Center, prompting her to name her blooming business OnTheWater Floral.

Originally hailing from Fairbanks, DeRuyter has been involved with flowers, whether as a pastime, a side gig or her main job, for over 40 years.

"Flowers are just beautiful," she said, adding that her favorites are peonies.

Now, at the old R&M Engineering building on Zimovia Highway, she is in the middle of renovations to turn the place into a permanent home as well as a location for her flower shop, expecting that it will be ready for business on Feb. 1, with plans for a grand opening on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14.

"I asked myself ... 'What am I doing?' Because we are semi-retired." she said with a laugh. "It's not like I don't have enough to do."

Even before opening day, DeRuyter continues to stay busy. "I've already had quite a few people come in," she said. "I'm amazed at how much business I do through Facebook."

Moving through the building with her grown son's beagle Brodey in tow, she entered a workroom that had concrete flooring and a commercial-grade sink, with assorted flower arrangements and wreaths in various spots. "This worked out perfect. I mean, this room is perfect for a flower shop!"

While she doesn't yet have a cooler to store flowers, she noted that one of the bathrooms has no heat. "So it makes the current cooler," she said, laughing. "I've got the flowers in the bathroom."

There had been a flower shop in town but the owner closed the business, so DeRuyter bought most of the stock. "In the back of my mind, I've always been wanting to open a shop again," she said. "I had a shop in Fairbanks for three years."

Living in Wrangell for the past three years is reminiscent of her childhood in her hometown. "Wrangell reminds me of old Fairbanks from when I was growing up," she said. "Fairbanks was pretty small. Everybody knew everybody, you know, and what I really like about here is ... if it's a beautiful day or something, you just close up your business and go fishing. ... You just post it on Facebook, like 'Oh, sorry, guys, we're not going to be here today.' And everybody takes it in stride."

DeRuyter plans to be open only from mid-September to Mother's Day in May. "We're going to be taking off in the boat in the summer," she said, pointing out that there is a greenhouse at Oceanview Gardens that will be open. "They grow the most gorgeous garden flowers in the summertime," she said. "Their flowers are just fabulous, so let them take over the flower business in the summer."

Laura Ballou, of Oceanview Gardens, said she and her husband Dwane will be selling flowers directly starting on Valentine's Day – with tulips the only ones available that early in the season – until October.

In addition to her work as a florist, DeRuyter has also assisted Joan Sargent with creating costumes at the Nolan Center for the stage productions "Sound of Music," "Annie" and "Cinderella."

Her favorite part of her job as a florist is the enjoyment that her floral arrangements bring to people. "Flowers generally bring joy and happiness to people," she said. "I've worked in all situations, you know, with funerals, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, whatever. Generally, flowers make people happy."