Lorch Bros. Flowers — one of the oldest stores at Six Corners — is closing on Dec. 31

by BRIAN NADIG 

Lorch Bros. Flowers, 4936 W. Irving Park Road, is closing at the end of the month after nearly 42 years of ownership by the Sim family.

Jae Sim acquired the business in the early 1980s, but it is believed that the Lorch brothers operated it for several prior decades, making it one of the oldest businesses in the Six Corners commercial district. The corner storefront is located at Laporte Avenue and Irving Park Road.

Sim said that he and his wife June and son Michael are grateful for the many loyal customers who made the business successful and that it is time for him to retire.

Sim recalled an incident in which he was home and received a phone call from a frantic customer who forgot to order flowers and needed them delivered to a church. “I was home, (but) I couldn’t say ‘no.’”

Sim said that he learned floral design at an art school in Chicago and that his first florist was on North Broadway but that he acquired Lorch because it was a more established shop.

The family issued the following statement to the community:

“We would like to announce our retirement on December 31, 2024. Thank you very much for supporting Lorch Bros. Flowers for 41 years and 11 months! We will miss the residents of the Six Corners, Portage Park, and Jefferson Park neighborhoods and will continue to pray for you.

Special thanks to the Matz Family. 4936-50 Irving Park LLC (our landlord), and the Portage Park Chamber of Commerce. Sincerely, Jae, June and Michael Sim. P.S. The closeout sale is after Christmas.”

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