Since 1909, Neill’s Flowers and Gifts has served the students and residents of Pullman. Now celebrating 115 years in business, the flower and gift shop is the longest-running business in town.

The shop has supported Greek life, campus events, family gatherings, business parties and more for over a century. Neill’s Flowers and Gifts recently provided flowers for events like the university’s hospital gala and Hall of Fame celebration. The shop sources flowers, such as chrysanthemums, dahlias and greens from around the world, said Chris Chandler, the shop’s special projects manager and co-owner of Neill’s Coffee & Ice Cream.

Neill’s Flowers and Gifts began in 1909 when Judge Thomas Neill tasked his son, Roy Neill, with establishing a greenhouse in Pullman. The greenhouse originally opened on Charlotte Street and sold flowers at Dutton’s Confectionery, as well as directly from the greenhouse.

After ten years of business on Charlotte Street, Roy moved the shop to its present-day location in downtown Pullman and added a sweets shop, offering ice cream, sodas and a café until 1941. The shop then remodeled, removing the sweets side of the business to focus solely on flowers and gifts.

After returning from World War II in 1945, Greg Neill took over the business from his father. Eventually, Mitch Chandler bought the shop from the Neill family. Today, the business continues to be run by Mitch and his family.

Chris said he believes the shop’s success is due to its strong connection to the Pullman community.

“The community has always been extremely supportive of the shop and that has kept us going,” he said. “The pandemic was rough, not having people come in for a while, but it got people back into buying flowers. Friends and family started sending each other flowers again, and that’s continued during construction.”

Being a seasonal business, Neill’s Flowers and Gifts will transition to a Christmas theme in November, pushing holiday centerpieces. In spring and summer, the shop features brightly colored themes in both gifts and flowers until fall rolls around again.

“Looking at the future, I’m excited — it’s going to be fun,” Chandler said.

Neill’s Flowers and Gifts is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, visit their website.