From Holland to Lakewood: A Family Story Takes Root
The story starts, as so many great Lakewood stories do, with someone who came here looking for something better. After World War II, a 19-year-old Ben Veldkamp Jr. left Holland, bringing his family’s deep horticultural roots with him to Colorado. He went to work in the flower industry and, in 1959, opened the very first flower shop in Lakewood. What began as one young immigrant’s bet on a new community has since blossomed — pun fully intended — into a three-generation family business now led by John Paul Veldkamp and Ben Veldkamp III.
Still Growing on the Same Corner
67 years later, Veldkamp’s is still right where it started; here in the heart of Lakewood, currently at 9501 W. Colfax Ave.
The footprint has grown to include the original Floral Design Center, an outdoor garden center, a Decor & Gifts boutique, and a digital Edu Center for plant lovers who want to keep learning long after they leave the parking lot.
Step inside and you’ll find everything from fresh-cut Ecuadorian roses and Holland tulips to gourmet baskets, Jellycat plush, and a stunning greenhouse just waiting to be wandered.
A Quiet Escape Just Off Colfax
What makes Veldkamp’s special, though, isn’t always the inventory — it’s the feeling. The greenhouse behind the showroom is the kind of place where you allow yourself to intentionally slow down.
Light filters through the windows. Plants climb toward the ceiling. Regulars wave hello. It’s the rare retail space that doubles as a quiet, almost meditative sanctuary from the everyday bustle of Colfax just outside the doors.
“Veldkamp’s is more than just a flower shop for special occasions,” says William Perry, a 30+ year Lakewood resident. “It’s a place where you can explore different types of flora any time of the year. I stop by Veldkamp’s at least once a month and always learn something new from the friendly and knowledgeable staff.”
Asked how Veldkamp’s has remained successful in the Denver market for so long, John Paul Veldkamp put it simply in an interview with Redstone Bank: “We’ve been able to adapt with the times and our customers. We’re constantly changing with trends, quality, and value to keep up with what they need.”
That philosophy has earned them recognition as Denver’s Best Florist by ColBiz Magazine and, more importantly, a loyal multi-generational customer base across the metro.
For West Colfax, Veldkamp’s is a community anchor; a business that planted roots here when much of the corridor was still finding its identity, and one that’s stayed through every season of change since.
They source flowers multiple times a week from California, Holland, and South America, deliver same-day across the Denver metro, handle weddings and sympathy arrangements, and still find time to host walk-in customers looking for nothing more than a little green wisdom to take home.
“I remember our first West Colfax Lately Luncheon more than a decade ago,” said WCCA board member William Marino. “Our budget was tight, and Ben generously offered to provide a table centerpiece at no cost. The Colorful red, pink, and yellow arrangements brightened the ballroom and made wonderful take-home gifts for the lucky drawing winners at each table.”
Stop and Smell the Roses
In our fast-paced corridor, Veldkamp’s reminds us of what happens when a family decides to stay — when a business commits to a corner, a community, and a craft for the long haul. Whether you’re an avid gardener, a curious passerby, or someone who just needs a reason to slow down and smell the roses, Veldkamp’s is here for our community—and has been so for years.
Stop by, say hello, and bring a little bouquet of West Colfax home with you.
Veldkamp’s Flowers & Gifts 9501 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, CO 80215 (303) 232-2673 | veldkampsflowers.com
