Sid's Owners "Heartbroken" To Close Doors, But Have Plans For a New Shop

The announcement that will soon be after 47 years in business has initiated cries of shock and sorrow from many area residents.

While the column usually focuses on businesses in town setting up shop, or changing directions, the sad fact is that closing down is a reality many small businesses face in today's economic climate.

In a statement, Sid's owners said the reason for the closure is due in large part to “lagging sales over the last several years along with declining property values on which [the company's] loans and credit lines are based.”

However, company president Philip Schaafsma Sr. said the changing habits of younger generations, the rise of big box retailers and the Internet all played a part as well.

“A lot of those [younger] generations didn't grow up gardening and didn't know a lot, but once they were educated they got really excited about it,” Schaafsma said. “Unfortunately, they looked for a lot of that education on the Internet and going to the small guy to buy products has not been their first instinct.”

Schaafsma said the economy played a role, and three consecutive wet springs hurt many landscape and garden companies in the area. Despite all that, closing the store has been a shock.

“We are heartbroken, this has been a very hard month,” he said. “To close the store and say goodbye to employees that have been here 20-plus years and customers that knew my father (Sierd "Sid" Schaafsma), we want to put this [month] behind us and move on.”

Rita Schaafsma, Phil's wife, said that some customers have come in crying, offering thanks for all the great years and wishing them luck as they move forward.

“I had a lady tell me she and her husband had their first date here,” she said. “It's been like a wake – we want this behind us so we can put a positive spin on the flower shop.”

At last week's Palos Hills City Council meeting Ald. William Hanson said he was shocked to hear the news of Sid's closing.

“As someone who has really been trying to help business out here and been involved in economic development I have to say we always considered them to be a real piece of the foundation of our business community,” Hanson said. “They were everything you would want a business to be … They are a great small business and we want to take care of small business. I wish there was something we could do.”

Patricia Bailey of the Palos Heights Garden Club, said the group will be saying goodbye to both an asset and friend.

“Sid's has been very good to the Palos Heights Garden Club,” Bailey said. “We have held meetings at their facility in the past, every year they gave us bulbs to plant at and we have had some of their knowledgeable staff speak to our garden club.”

The club made a video celebrating Sid's 50-year presence in the Palos area and help to the organization.

The club's vice president Clara Van Howe knew the elder Schaafsma and said his sons helped the garden club when they had no money at the start. It has been difficult coming to terms with the closing.

"I saw Bernice [Schaafsma, Phil's mother] when I was there the other day and I couldn't go talk to her, I just knew we'd both start balling," she said.

Last Wednesday, Cathy Baids wheeled her shopping cart down the checkout at Sid's. She has been a customer since 1978.

“They have been my go-to place for everything and can answer questions about lawn, garden, plants and flowers,” she said. “I am so sad to hear of the closing but glad they will be keeping a presence in the area.”

Exactly what and where that presence will be is not completely certain, but Schaafsma said that his wife will be running a Sid's Flowers And More and that the business will stay in Palos.

“The more is kind of to-be-determined – or, as it grows we'll know what the more is,” Schaafsma said.

Rita said the store will start as mainly floral and gifts, which they already know there is a demand for. There are no plans to re-open the landscaping or greenhouses. Phil's brother has a landscaping business that will absorb some of the landscaping crews.

“Opening the new store in Palos Hills was our first choice, we like it here and our customers know where to find us,” Shaafsma said.

Although no lease has been signed, the family has already scouted locations.

The garden center and landscape arms of the business will close this month. Shaafsma said they merchandise has been moving very well at the Palos Hills store, which has traditionally outsold the Bolingbrook location 2-to-1. More inventory from the Bolingbrook location will be brought to Palos Hills as the clearance sale continues.

Sid's was locally owned, family-run and loyally patronized for nearly 50 years. While news of a new shop is reassuring, many customers are still saying goodbye to what they consider an institution, tradition and friend.