WINCHENDON — Many people start small businesses. Few can claim they’re still going — and growing — after three decades.
Still, Michelle Comeau, owner of To Each His Own Design in Winchendon, seems almost reluctant to talk about her success. The business, which serves customers from Athol to Gardner, will be celebrating its 30th year on Sept. 28. A customer appreciation day will be held a few days earlier to thank the community for its support over the years.
“When I was a teenager,” said Comeau, “I worked for my brother at Winchendon Flower & Gifts. I was 14. It was one of my first jobs. That’s where my interest began.
“But I took a different path, which eventually returned me to Winchendon, and I was working on Front Street as office manager for Worcester Manufacturing. The previous owner still owned the building and he offered me the space downstairs. I just had to clean it up.”
As a result, Comeau ended up opening the first iteration of To Each His Own Design. Her first move, from one location to another, wasn’t a drastic change, but her final move to the former Monadnock Bank building at the corner of Grove and Central streets — made about two years ago — is a different story.
“Being at 28 Front St., which is where I began, and going to 68 Central St.,” she explained, “everything was pretty much the same. I had the pulse of everything that was going on. It wasn’t because I had records of everything, it was more of a feel and an understanding of what’s going on around you.
“But since I’ve been here at 172 Central St., everything has changed. I keep saying to everyone, ‘It’s bigger than me.’ What I mean by that is, it has really thrown me a curve. It’s like starting all over again.”
One of her concerns before buying the former bank was how to fill the space.
“I did not think I could fill it,” she said. “I didn’t think I could do the beauty of the building justice. That’s how I felt.
“But now, we’re able to carry more products because the community is so supportive. As people come in and purchase things, we just reinvest it all back into the business. So, that has changed. The amount of sales has changed.”
Owning space, rather than renting it, has also presented challenges.
“Everything that I have done to this point — it’s just a learning curve, it’s been an adjustment. We have a yard to take care of. There’s property now. There’s so much more exterior- and interior-wise going on. So, that’s very different.”
Asked how she keeps a fairly upscale business thriving in a blue-collar community like Winchendon, Comeau said, “I don’t look at it that way. I think everyone likes to feel special. I don’t care who you are, or where you’re from.
“What I’ve worked hard to do is always treat everyone the same as they walk in the door. So, someone will come in and grab something little, and I’ll grab my bag and put my tissue paper in it and go to put their purchase in it and they’ll say, ‘Oh, I don’t need that.’ And I’ll look at them and say, ‘Yes, you do.’ And I’ll prepare it and hand it to them, and they say ‘wow.’
“So, it’s an experience. You come in and, hopefully, when you leave you feel better than when you came in.”
The new location, she said, also gives people a more welcoming space in which to work.
“What I didn’t realize is that, in my other two locations, where we designed was always in the back of the building and I had never had the pleasure of the kind of space I’m working with right now. And everyone feels that way. Whenever they come in, whoever is making anything, whether it’s someone building their own arrangement — whatever — the windows, everything, it’s so bright and alive that you want to smile. You’re excited about being in this space. It’s amazing. It’s a blessing.”
To Each His Own Design offers a wide array of flowers and gifts, gift baskets and unique items, and even specialty treats. Comeau also provides flowers and floral arrangements for funerals and for weddings and other special occasions.
To Each His Own’s appreciation day will take place on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 1 to 5 p.m. The band Deacon Express will be providing entertainment. Refreshments will be offered and, as of the time of this interview, Comeau was working on getting the go-ahead to serve hot dogs and hamburgers.
“If, for some reason, we can’t do that, I’m still going to have a raffle, the store will open for people to come in. I’ll have bottled water and soda.
“We just want to thank people for their support.”
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com