Meet The Team

Julie Markert
Owner

Catherine’s Gardens evolved out of a love and obsession for stunning flowers, whimsical details, and a desire to create memorable experiences. Julie founded the company in 2005, nestled in Chicago’s south suburbs, enamored with the idea of community. Wanting to cultivate a relationship between the client and the shop in a day and age where we’ve lost the idea of “connecting”, her focus is on asking the questions and trying to express those responses through floral design.

The Shop’s Theory is simple: use the best product possible from around the world to create arrangements that are part of a person’s experience. To convey a message through color, technique and style. We strive for tears of joy, a loving hand over the heart, and the overemotional happy clap.

An extensive background in architecture and marketing have been integral to her thriving in the industry, procuring dozens of awards for her work and her service in the community. The reward for a successful business is the opportunity to make a difference supporting programs for our local Scouts, The Bridge Teen Center, GiGi’s Playhouse, the Chicagoland Ronald McDonald Houses and the Humane Society. We’ve also made a commitment to recycling, composting, and ensuring our product comes from the most environmentally friendly farms.

We owe it to ourselves and our clients to be inspiring, innovative, and not settle for what everyone else does. We want the love and kindness that we grow here to bloom with each and every one of you.