By Ken Graham
The Times
Welcome to Snapdragon!
New name, new store front welcome Christmas shoppers to the former Croft's
Share
Tweet
Ken Graham
Cara Watts and her mother, Vicky Beckmeyer (a.k.a the dragon, holding a snapdragon flower), show off Snapdragon's new sign, which will soon be hung above the store's front door.
DAYTON – When you're browsing in Snapdragon Floral and Gifts shortly before Christmas, you might think you've traveled to the North Pole. Santa's workshop must look something like this.
"We love Christmas," says Cara Watts, who, with her mother, Vicky Beckmeyer, operates the recently renamed Snapdragon. It shows.
Their store on Dayton's Main Street sells Christmas decorations year-round. But as the holiday season approaches, the Christmas spirit takes over, with beautiful decorations and wonderful Christmas gift ideas throughout the store.
This holiday season, Beckmeyer and Watts introduced the new name for their store, which was formerly called Croft's. "We decided that with the new store front, it was time to completely give it our own identity," Beckmeyer said.
In October, the store received a new exterior face, including the front wall, windows and entry door. "We have more space inside, and it's much more energy efficient," Beckmeyer said.
The renovation project was made possible by a "façade improvement grant" from the Dayton Development Task Force. Grant funds came from donations through the Task Force's B&O tax credit program, which promotes downtown historic preservation.
Croft's has been a landmark business in downtown Dayton for more than 50 years. Beckmeyer purchased the business in January, 2007, and she and Watts have operated it since.
As the Touchet Valley's only flower store, Snapdragon serves a wide range of floral clients, from brides and grooms to funeral guests to high school prom attendees.
Ken Graham
Some of the many Christmas decorations available in the store.
"Believe it or not, men still buy their wives or girlfriends flowers," Watts said, with a grin. "For whatever reason."
But Snapdragon is more than a flower shop. Holiday decorations – Christmas, Halloween, Easter and a few others – are featured throughout the year. Beckmeyer creates and sells her own custom urns. The store also features hats, yard art, gourmet chocolates and many other gifts and decorations.
Beckmeyer and Watts love Christmas so much that, for several years, they have chaired the committee that puts on the Dayton Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Kickoff event. That event occurs each year on the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Snapdragon Floral and Gifts is located 207 E. Main St. Beckmeyer and Watts can be reached at (509) 382-2565.
Reader Comments(0)