The Story

Hi, I'm Andrea!

As a little girl growing up in Huntsville, weekend highlights consisted of heading downtown to feed the ducks at Big Spring Park, riding the free neighborhood trolley around deserted streets when all the businesses closed up shop, and getting ice cream from the quiet old corner shop where an upscale restaurant now bustles with evening crowds. As I grew into my teens, I came to love the charm in the old crumbling buildings, but could imagine so much more potential lay just beneath the surface, and wondered how and when it would one day be discovered. Now when I walk those same Huntsville streets that have transformed into bustling avenues filled with life and joy, I'm always filled with awe as if it all happened just for me to make my dreams come true. 

Transforming Huntsville into the vibrant, growing city it is today took creativity, vision, and blood, sweat and tears. The seeds were planted decades ago thanks to the rise of space endeavors and essential industries that the area mills supported. It's what makes us uniquely poised to cultivate that kind of life within those who call this place home. More than just focused on science and technology, makers of all kinds have been able to sink their roots into the fertile soil of passion and ingenuity to add even richer life to our community. But there is much more to be discovered. 

When COVID-19 turned the high hopes of 2020 on its head, much of the thriving  way of life seemed to come to a screeching halt, with uncertainty hanging in the air. As the dust clears and growth again pushes its way forward, we have been given fresh appreciation for all the people who work to add their own seeds to the soil and renew the life that for a season lay dormant.

Local Flourish Co emerged in September 2020 as a way to highlight the incredible makers that are continuing to help our city flourish. Despite new restrictions and ways of shopping, we can bring together much of our area talent into a one-stop-shop curated gift box experience to create collections that showcase high-quality creations that are ever evolving, often behind the scenes from the mainstream consumer. At a time when local connections are valued more than ever, I'm thrilled to connect our community with the local makers who inspire us each and every day to never stop growing. Let's support local and shop small and see what new discoveries lie just ahead.

 

"And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare." - Jeremiah 29:7

 

Keep flourishing,

Andrea Wilhelm

#flourishHSV