It is impossible to drive through the intersection of Main and Washington Streets in East Peoria without noticing Becks Florist. The bright, colorful mural that wraps the facade in flowers leaves little doubt what goes on inside. Owner Michael McGowen did not commission the Pekin muralist who painted the building in 2019, but he acknowledges that it is an “attention getter.”

“You notice it and you either love it or you hate it,” McGowen says with a laugh. “Either way, it sure stands out.”

At 91 years old, Becks Florist stands out among the oldest continuously operating businesses in the area. William and Agnes Becks founded the floral business in Peoria in 1934. In 1949, they decided to open a shop across the river and the space at the busy downtown intersection has been home ever since. Two more generations of the Becks family ran the business until purchased in 2023 by McGowen and 42-year employee Linn Elliot. McGowen became the full owner in 2024 after Elliot passed away.

McGowen says he had worked in the shop since 2021 when the opportunity arose to buy the business. But he says Elliot was really the catalyst that made it happen.

“When we had the chance to buy it, we did,” he says. He has learned on the job and is now involved in every aspect of the business, from buying to arranging to delivery.

“I’m not as good as they are,” he says of his staff of 10 employees that includes floral designers and delivery. “We have some longtime employees who are amazing and that makes a huge difference.”

In addition to traditional floral arrangements for all occasions — weddings, birthdays, graduations, thank you, get well, congratulations, housewarming, funerals, and “just because”—Becks offers houseplants, chimes, memory stones, outdoor lanterns, silk flower arrangements, and cemetery arrangements. McGowen says most orders are delivered to residences, offices, hospitals, funeral homes, churches, or businesses.

“Greg (Becks) used to always say he sold smiles,” says McGowen. “That is very true. A lot of times, when you make a delivery, faces just light up when they see the flowers. Some people have never gotten flowers before and they are so excited.” 

Although he has only been in tune with floral retailing for a few years, McGowen says he knows the business is much different now than when Becks started. Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day remain the biggest flower-giving days of the year, but how customers place orders has changed.

“The biggest thing now is the internet,” he says. “You have websites where you can order any time without actually speaking to anyone.”

A Google search may lead to Becks websites managed by the Flower Shop Network and by Lovingly. There, customers can choose a ready-made arrangement or give specifics for a custom order. Online ordering is quick and convenient, but McGowen wants customers to know that a call or visit to the store is still the best way to experience the outstanding customer service that has sustained Becks since long before the internet even existed.

Being located at one of the busiest intersections in East Peoria means thousands of motorists see the Becks building every day. McGowen says business remains strong and he welcomes the opportunity to serve the growing business and residential community in the Levee District.

“The more businesses you have coming down to this area for whatever reason, then you have more people coming to the area and the better it is for everyone,” he says.

Becks Florist occupies the same building at 105 E. Washington St., where it has been since 1949. Hours are 7:30am to 3pm Monday through Friday. McGowen suggests following the shop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/becksflorist for news of occasional extended hours and special promotions. The phone number is 309-699-3921.