flowers

Bill Franz is the creator of the Facebook page, Dayton at Work and Play. He has explored all of Dayton's neighborhoods, he highlights businesses like the 118 year old Gerstner & Sons wood chest and boxes shop, he's created a couple art series involving his 102 year old father-in-law who has dementia, he walks around town and uses his photographers eye to tell his stories. 

One story that he shared was about a CSA, Backlot Buds, located in Dayton's Historic Inner East neighborhood. He signs up to get weekly spring, summer, and fall bouquets for his wife. I love flowers, curiosity got the best of me, I looked up Backlot Buds, and signed up for the fall bouquets. On Wednesdays, for four weeks, I drive to Pink Moon Goods (a lovely little gift shop) to pick up the bouquet. 

“Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” – Luther Burbank

The story behind Backlot Buds is inspiring. A young woman, Brittany, and her husband moved to Dayton and fell in love with the city. Their backlot, acquired through the city's former Lot Links program, is nestled in Historic Inner East Dayton behind their home. Cultivating cut flowers became a hobby in 2020 after losing their daughter and it quickly captivated Brittany. She has been bringing joy to people with these beautiful flowers for five growing seasons.

“Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower.”– John Harrigan