Jones the Florist opens new location at Jungle Jim's Eastgate

EASTGATE - Jungle Jones is open for business.

Cincinnati’s Jones the Florist opened its third retail location Friday morning at Jungle Jim’s International Market Eastgate. The 147-year-old Jones has closed most of its store locations in recent years so Jungle Jim’s marks a retail re-emergence, said company President Joe Rozier.

“I really believe it will be a great partnership,” Rozier said. “For us, it’s a new business model, and we still have to figure it out. But the foot traffic is there.”

Jones has 1,400 square feet of space at Jungle Jim’s located near the store’s main entrance and also close to the bank of cash registers where shoppers check out.

That will allow the florist to connect with shoppers on the way into Jungle Jim’s and on the way out, said Jones store manager Sandi Simpson.

The new shop sells cut flowers, custom flower arrangements, candy, gift items and gourmet baskets. It also has a consultation area for weddings and special events.

Jungle Jim’s owner “Jungle” Jim Bonaminio was on hand for the store’s ceremonial ribbon cutting and said he expects it to be a hit.

“You team up with some of the best in the city,” he said. “It’s good for the customer.”

Jungle Jim’s Eastgate opened in September 2012. The store also features goodies from BonBonerie bakery and a retail area for Colonel De, which is based at Findlay Market and sells gourmet herbs and spices.

“You can live in Clermont County and still have the finer things in life,” Clermont County Commissioner David Uible said before the ribbon cutting. “I think this is wonderful.”

Jones the Florist will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, just like Jungle Jim’s Eastgate.

The store has five employees. Rozier said he hopes the new location will boost the florist’s revenue by as much as 15 percent over the next couple of years. Jones the Florist's other retail locations are on Fountain Square downtown and at its Blue Ash headquarters.