It’s true: The only thing constant is change.

The news that Ed Bloom will close up his downtown business comes as bittersweet, but as we wish Bloom the best, we anticipate what’s next for Butler. It’s time to pass the torch, for someone new to step up.

Earlier this week, Bloom announced his retirement. The owner of Bortmas, The Butler Florist has worked 75- to 80-hour work weeks while operating the floral shop for the past 42 years.

He’s put in his time and made a true impact on downtown Butler. It’s hard to let go of a business like that.

His floral arrangements — always thoughtfully crafted — have helped us recognize so many of the highs and lows throughout our lives. Even those of us who don’t personally know Bloom have been affected by his craft.

His flowers have celebrated the birth of babies, brought smiles to hospital rooms when someone was sick. They’ve been delivered to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, graduations and many other happy occasions. They’ve been carried down church aisles for weddings, adorned funeral homes when relatives and friends pass, and been placed at gravesites to remember loved ones.

Thank you, Ed, for the roses, chrysanthemums, carnations, lilies and other flowers that have decorated our homes and work spaces. And thank you for the smiles, tears and laughter that often came along with those floral arrangements.

We hope that the downtown Butler space remains filled with a local shop.

Perhaps someone would buy the shop and continue the business as Bloom did at age 19. He bought the business from the late Lee Bortmas.

Or perhaps something new will fill its place.

Either way, we want to continue encouraging the growth of small, locally owned businesses in downtown Butler. We look forward to what’s next for the space.

And we want to thank Bloom for doing his part. Enjoy your retirement. We wish you the very best.

— TL