Creekside Greenhouse, Art and a Suit open for business – Leader Publications

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Mildred and O’Larry Collins reopened their business, Creekside Greenhouse, for the season on Friday and celebrated the reopening and relocation of O’Larry’s men’s fashion show and art gallery, Art and a Suit, to the same building at 324 Pokagon St. (Maxwell Harden). |. Leader publications)

Mildred and O’Larry Collins reopened their business, Creekside Greenhouse, for the season on Friday and celebrated the reopening and relocation of O’Larry’s men’s fashion show and art gallery, Art and a Suit, to the same building at 324 Pokagon St. (Maxwell Harden). |. Leader publications)

Mildred and O’Larry Collins reopened their business, Creekside Greenhouse, for the season on Friday and celebrated the reopening and relocation of O’Larry’s men’s fashion show and art gallery, Art and a Suit, to the same building at 324 Pokagon St. (Maxwell Harden). |. Leader publications)

Mildred and O’Larry Collins reopened their business, Creekside Greenhouse, for the season on Friday and celebrated the reopening and relocation of O’Larry’s men’s fashion show and art gallery, Art and a Suit, to the same building at 324 Pokagon St. (Maxwell Harden). |. Leader publications)

DOWAGIAC — Flowers and plants — as well as suits and hats — are now in bloom at 324 Pokagon St.

Dowagiac’s O’Larry and Mildred Collins reopened their business, Creekside Greenhouse, for the season on Friday and celebrated the reopening and relocation of O’Larry’s men’s fashion show and art gallery, Art and a Suit, to the same building. Creekside Greenhouse is located at 324 Pokagon St. and offers a variety of potted plants, flowers and vegetables. Art and a Suit offers second-hand suits, hats and other men’s items, as well as a gallery space where his wood-burning and painting artwork can be displayed.

Collins said both businesses are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

When Collins first opened his store at 135 S. Front St., Dowagiac, in October 2015, he noticed a lack of stores selling men’s fashion. He has since filled that need by offering his collection of jackets, shoes and vintage ties. The business moved to 115 S. Front St. in 2022 before moving to its current location last winter.

Collins estimates that he and Mildred have been tending the plants in the greenhouse for more than 30 years. As for his gallery, Collins has been practicing various forms of art for over 40 years. While Collins enjoyed the downtown space for his gallery, he also enjoys being closer to Mildred and the garden.

“It’s fantastic,” he said. “We live across the street and can easily walk here. People ask you what time you close and you almost say ‘when I want’. It is very nice to have it next to us.”

Collins admitted the move has created a new “problem” that he is trying to solve.

“The only problem I have is how to dress accordingly when I go from the gallery to the greenhouse,” he said. “It makes it a little difficult, so I’ll have to learn how to dress in between.”

With Art and a Suit moving next door to Creekside Greenhouse, two of Collins’ passions have merged. For Collins, being able to present his passions to the community has been a blessing for decades.

“It’s actually satisfying,” he said. “Most people want to do something that is complete for them and for me this is it, this is nice. The plants are beautiful and the art, I could always immerse myself in it. I enjoy it. I have enjoyed it all my life.”