All In The Family
Given the rate at which many small businesses sputter out, it’s no small feat that McArdle’s Florist & Garden Center on Arch Street has lasted 100 years. A Greenwich native, James McArdle, JR., 68, reminisces about making a family endeavor work for a century. Interview by Robin Fasano
Robin Fasano: One hundred years is a long time! How do you manage to keep the business in the family?
James McArdle, Jr.: My grandparents started the business in 1910, but eight years later my grandfather died at a fairly young age, 45. So my grandmother jumped in and took over. She was ahead of her time. And she remained at the helm until 1955. Meanwhile, my father joined after graduating from college in 1936, and the reins were passed to him when he bought the business in 1955. While growing up, I worked at the store. But when I started full-time I was working 80 to 90 hours a week, including Sunday. It was hard, but my wife understood and she took care of our four children. Saturday mornings, customers were lined up four deep at the counter, placing orders and buying supplies.
RF: How have you lasted a century?
JM: My father always said: “You can’t just take; you have to give back.” He instilled that in me and I’ve instilled it in my son. When you give to the community you get back tenfold. We’re involved with many nonprofits, including the Greenwich Land Trust and Breast Cancer Alliance.
RF: Do you have a garden at home? How much time do you spend in your yard?
JM: I have a perennial garden at home, but I really love working in the greenhouse at the florist and garden center. I could spend hours there. It’s such a beautiful environment — I don’t consider it work.
RF: Has it been easy to get members of the family to stick with the business?
JM: I have three daughters and a son, and they all worked at the store, but I’m very fortunate that my son, James McArdle III, 43, wanted to go into the business. It was his choice, no one forced an interest, and he’s very enthusiastic about it. It’s in his blood. When he came onboard in 1989, after graduating from Cornell with a degree in horticulture like both me and my father, it was a real shot in the arm. He took us to the next level with modern technology. He computerized and streamlined operations and introduced a new, unique line of plant materials for our customers.
RF: Lots of businessowners say they’ve lasted because they’ve rolled with the market. What does that mean for you?
JM: The ability to accept change and go with it is a key to making a business work. Sometimes you have to give up old, familiar ways and have the courage to implement necessary changes. That can be difficult. We all like to think our way is best, but sometimes it’s not. Sometimes there really are better ways of doing things. You have to give people a chance to do it their way. If an employee has an idea, instead of saying, “No, we’ve never done it that way,” we say, “Let’s give it a try; if it works, great. If not, that’s okay, at least we tried.” We continue to be blessed with good, solid, knowledgeable employees. Our team is a huge part of our success. We have people who are committed to the products they sell — and it shows. Many who work here today have been with us 10 to 15 years... Part of the reason they stay is because they have decision-making influence.
RF: What’s been the biggest key to growing your florist and garden business?
JM: Being willing to listen and learn from employees and customers and stay open-minded. The store is selling merchandise now that 10 years ago I couldn’t have predicted, like books, hats, jackets, gourmet dressings and sauces — but customers ask for it, so we get it. You have to keep listening. It makes a difference when a customer walks in and we know them by name and they know we’ll do whatever we can to provide them with the best possible service.
RF: Do you plan to retire?
JM: I’ve been doing this for 47 years and people say, “When are you going to retire?” and I say, “Retire? I don’t have any plans to retire. I love what I do!”