The Business of the Year award is one of the Chamber’s most prestigious awards celebrating excellence in a business’ industry and in their community. This award, sponsored by Newburyport Bank, recognizes a Chamber member who has demonstrated leadership and involvement for the betterment of the business community and the greater Rochester area. At the Chamber’s Annual Awards Celebration held on Wednesday evening, May 22, 2024, at The Oaks Grandview Ballroom, the Chamber was pleased to present the 2024 Business of the Year award to Studley Flower Gardens.
Studley’s is a family-owned florist, garden center, and landscape company that has been located in downtown Rochester since 1928. Studley’s is currently owned by brothers Jeffrey and David Meulenbroek with Molly Meulenbroek as General Manager, second-generation owners. Since 2008, they have stewarded the business through many changes and challenges while remaining committed to their values of excellence and supporting their employees and community.
Studley Flower Gardens offers personalized service and customized solutions for every flower and garden lover’s needs and interests. They create floral designs not found anywhere else and grow a unique selection of plants specially curated for your success. They are also committed to nurturing your landscape. Their landscape services are grounded in expert knowledge and decades of experience.
Giving back to their community is a belief of Studley Flower Gardens and do so by supporting numerous organizations through involvement and contributions. They provide plantings at the entrances of the Rochester Opera House and at community events, they are a longtime supporter of the downtown beautification efforts through Rochester Main Street and the Adopt a Spot program, and host Rochester Main Street’s Festival of Trees event. General Manager, Molly Meulenbroek is the long-time chair of the Rochester Historic District Commission. She is also a past board member of the NH Farm Museum and committee member of Rochester Main Street. Jeffrey Meulenbroek, a NH certified landscaper, is past president of the former NH Plant Growers Association. David Meulenbroek is a past president of Rochester Main Street. They also participate in the Society of American Florists Petal it Forward.
According to Felicia LaBranche of Magic Mirror Marketing, “With a 96-year legacy, they continue to uphold the tradition of civic pride and service. Their commitment extends beyond the realm of business as evidenced in their active involvement over the years in civic endeavors, philanthropic initiatives, and educational outreach programs”.
In their industry, Studley’s is a member of the Society of American Florists, the National Association of Landscape Professionals, and the New Hampshire Landscape Association. They have received numerous awards and recognitions including the NH Small Business Administration’s Family-Owned Business of the Year in 2014 and were featured in the Google Economic Impact Report 2020 for the State of New Hampshire.
For these reasons, the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce was proud to name Studley Flower Gardens its 2024 Business of the Year.
On hand to present the award to Studley Flower Gardens, was last year’s recipient, Marcus Weeks, president of Meredith Village Savings Bank.