Cooksey’s Flower Shop, a fixture in Jonesboro for 74 years, is closing its doors. The family-owned business, long known for creating corsages, holiday arrangements, and floral displays, announced the decision as the owners face a major life change.
Henry Cooksey, who has run the shop alongside his wife Janelle for many years, cited personal reasons for the closure. "Truthfully, my wife has been diagnosed with cancer, and I need to be with her. We need each other, and I want to help her," he said.
The shop's history stretches back to the early 1950s when Henry’s parents founded the business on what is now Flowerland Drive, a street named in honor of Henry’s grandfather. His grandfather, a postal worker, cultivated irises on the property, marking the family's first connection to the floral world. Over the decades, the business has remained in the family, with Henry and Janelle stepping in to run the shop when Henry’s parents could no longer manage it.
Henry’s sister, Lynita Cooksey, recalled growing up in and around the shop, though she eventually pursued a different career. "Making projects for people. And we all three learned from our parents and learned how to make corsages and things that were kind of delicate," the family shared.
The shop has been a steady part of life in Jonesboro, delivering flowers across the country and serving locals with arrangements for everything from weddings to funerals. The Cookseys said they’ve always found joy in the emotional impact their work provides. "I think flowers show you care for people. And they show immediate emotion for people when they receive them. And it’s been a rewarding job. It sure has," the family reflected.
While the business has been closed for some time, the family noted there are still flowers on-site and announced plans for a final sale. Details for the sale are still being finalized, according to the Cookseys.
The decision to close the shop comes with mixed emotions for the family, who described the process as bittersweet. But as Henry turns his attention to his wife’s health, the family expressed deep gratitude to their customers over the years. In a message to the community, they said, "Thank you for your support — you’ve been as much friends as you have customers."
Cooksey’s Flower Shop has been more than just a business for the family; it has been a labor of love and dedication, rooted in their history and tied to the vibrant community of Jonesboro.