The year was 1966. Rita White had been working at Sherwood’s Flowers and Gifts for two years. That year, she bought the company from the Sherwoods, and went about running the business herself.

Business was so good that she couldn’t run the store alone. Her husband, Darvin White, left his job as a salesman to come help her in the shop.

The year is now 2009, and 49 years later, the family owned business is still thriving in downtown Covington.

"Grandfather worked until three days before he died," Justin Sullivan, grandson of Darvin and Rita said.

Sherwood’s Flowers and Gifts makes all it’s own flower arrangements in house. They purchase their flowers from local distributors in Atlanta and Athens, and assemble them all in the cold storage in their downtown store.

Currently, the store is bright with reds, yellows and other fall colors. Both the live and silk arrangements are bright and vibrant in the spirit of autumn. The various gifts, such as garden decorations, picture frames and other such trinkets, are adorned with pumpkins, turkeys and other holiday decorations. Christmas trees are already being set up in one corner of the store.

"Our busiest holidays are Valentine’s Day and Mothers Day," Michelle Jesky said. The store is closed for most major holidays and encourages customers to order early on those days.

"We have something for everybody," Jesky said. "We sell fresh arrangements, custom-made silks and other gifts. We try to gear business toward what everyone wants."

The store sells flowers for all occasions and will deliver to anywhere in Newton County, as well as Conyers and Social Circle. They deliver to residences, businesses, as well as hospitals and funeral homes.

Walk-in orders are welcome, or customers can order online at www.sherwoodsflowers.net.

Jesky, born in Massachusetts, attended Floral Design School in Boston. Many of the workers, however, had to no education in flower arrangement, and learned it all from scratch.

"We all have experience," Jesky said. "We all love what we do."