Those who remember the former business of Ray Hunter Florist and Gardens, knows how it conjures up thoughts of colorful floral arrangements, garden favorites, and special deliveries that generate the biggest smiles.
The family business was at 16153 Eureka Road in Southgate, and was in operation for decades.
The store sold everything from geraniums to chrysanthemums, and poinsettias to lilies.
It hosted an annual winter holiday party featuring a visit from Santa Claus that was the talk of the town every occasion.
This youngster is having a good time learning about gardening and getting her hands on a project in the Kids Cottage Learning Center’s Ray of Sunshine Garden. It is a reflection of the dynamics visitors loved about Ray Hunter Florist and
Gardens. (Photo courtesy of Kids Cottage and Learning Center)
The iconic flower shop, founded by Ray Hunter Sr., served the Downriver community for more than 100 years.
The historic landmark recently found new life as Kids Cottage Early Learning Center. The mission behind it is to strive to keep the spirit of the florist alive through a garden that has been named “Ray of Sunshine Garden.”
The trails and grounds at Kids Cottage Early Learning Center allows nature’s beauty to be seen through the eyes of children. It is situated inside the former Ray Hunter Florist and Garden house. (Photo courtesy of Kids Cottage and Learning Center)
Ray Hunter Jr., and his father created more than just a business; they built a tradition. According to local lore, Ray Hunter Sr. even developed a special method for growing flowers in Southgate’s dense clay soil, a secret that helped transform their shop into a destination for generations.
Shelly Sute, owner/director of Kids Cottage, said their goal with the cottage is to capture the magic of Ray Hunter’s memory and keep it alive.
The Ray of Sunshine Garden is a whimsical space that features fairy houses, wind chimes, nature trails, and wildflowers. It is designed to be a reflection of the joy that former Ray Hunter Florists and Gardens brought to everyone for decades. (Photo courtesy of Kids Cottage and Learning Center)
“We’ve created a special nature garden in our play yard as a tribute to him,” Sute said. “This whimsical space features fairy houses, wind chimes, nature trails, and wildflowers that still bloom year after year. All throughout the seasons, we see an array of flowers springing up, which we imagine were left behind by Ray himself, his legacy of color and life. We are hoping to honor his memory by instilling a love for nature in generations to come.”
Kids Cottage and Learning Center, located in the former Ray Hunter Florist and Gardens facility, embraces children enjoying the Ray of Sunshine Garden. (Photo courtesy of Kids Cottage and Learning Center)
The owner of the cottage believes it is allowing the Downriver community to make a nostalgic connection to the past through its nature trails, wind chimes, wildflowers, and fairy houses.
Sute said the enjoyment the Hunter business shared with so many people lives on through the tribute garden in its ability to allow nature’s beauty to be seen through the eyes of children.
Originally Published: August 15, 2025 at 2:57 PM EDT
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