Alliance, OH Florists

Alliance Flower Shop News

Something Borrowed, Something Green - The New York Times

PhotographySince their Oct. 30 engagement, the couple selected like-minded businesses that they found through Chicago Vintage Weddings, an eco-friendly wedding planning company, and Green Wedding Alliance, a collaborative network of socially and environmentally responsible event vendors.Their florist, Pollen Floral Design, donates post-party flowers to nonprofit fund-raising groups, community dinners, and volunteer workshops that transform florals into bedside arrangements for nursing homes, hospice and hospitals. Erickson Design, which they are using, prints save-the-dates and other wedding stationery in-house, using paper made from recycled post-consumer materials. Its founders are also committed to planting a tree for every set of invitations they produce.ImageThis popcorn-box program was printed on recycled paper by Erickson Design.CreditW. LambertOf their choice of wedding vendors, Mr. Schiff said, “I haven’t gotten the impression that they are more expensive than non-green vendors. But, also, the slight possible increase in cost is worth it for us.”Ms. Meskin and Mr. Schiff also researched eco-conscious dining options. FIG Catering, their food vendor, caters 50 to 70 weddings each year. To minimize food waste, Molly Schemper, the owner, analyzes purchasing practices and preparation, and trains her staff to recognize sustainable presentation methods. “If we’re getting carrots with greens on the top, we use those greens in some sort of way,” said Ms. Schemper. Ingredients that are typically cast aside are sometimes used for stocks, sauces, soups, bitters and cordial drinks.FIG Catering produces buffets upon request. However, to minimize waste, the staff doesn’t fill up the table with excess food that might go unconsumed.“If things go out on a buffet, or are served family-style, there’s no way to salvage that,” said Ms. Schemper, who donates untouched, unserved fare to local food pantries. “Those styles of service produce more waste than a plated meal, where we’re only sending out what people are going to eat.”figure class="css-jcw7oy e1g7ppur0" aria-label="media" role="group" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope itemid... https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/26/style/something-borrowed-something-green.html

Punished by Wash. State for Refusing Gay Couple, Florist Named Best for 2019 by Local Community - CBN News

Stutzman's case once again to finally settle the unanswered questions about religious freedom in Phillips' case. Stutzman is being represented in her case by the Alliance Defending Freedom.  ... https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2019/june/punished-by-wash-state-for-refusing-gay-couple-florist-named-best-for-2019-by-local-community

Keeping things natural come Hell or High Water - Enumclaw Courier-Herald

A key transition came in 2015 when Kevin participated in the Organic Farming Education Program, offered by Tilth Alliance. Located in Auburn, it offers education for beginner farmers and serves as a business incubator. For three years, he grew vegetables and flowers and kept flocks of laying hens at Tilth’s Red Barn Ranch. “It was nice being around like-minded individuals,” Kevin says of his relationship with Tilth.A commercial customer stops by Hell Or High Water Farm, picking up an order of 25 dozen eggs. Photo by Kevin Hanson After a couple of brief stops, it was in 2018 that the Helfricks moved Hell or High Water Farm to Enumclaw’s Cart Before Horse Farm. They live in a home on the property and use five acres of land, all nestled in a rural setting just north of Enumclaw. While Desiree continues her day job off the farm, Kevin has transitioned to full-time work at Hell or High Water. He tends a flock that, these days, is producing upward of 150 eggs per day and nurtures the land that produces a wide range of vegetables and flowers. There were tough lessons to be learned along the way, but Kevin said there are no regrets when it comes to leading a particular kind of farm life. Standing in a barn, looking out over his flock, he says, “This is one of the only things that has made my heart sing.” THE MISSION “Our work is grounded in a deep respect for our natural world and all the creatures in it,” the Helfricks write on their website (hellorhighwaterfarm.com). “We believe it is our responsibility as farmers to foster sustainable agricultural practices as stewards of the land and our community.” Take their chickens, for example: “We believe firmly that all creatures have a right to sun, fresh grass, and the freedom to engage in behaviors which are innate to their species,” the Helfricks write. The birds are moved from spot to spot, held in place by solar-powered electric fencing, enjoying pasture life from sunrise to sundown. “Our goal is for the chickens to have a million great days and just one bad one,” Kevin said, with a nod to the reality of life as a farm bird. Vegetables and flowers originate from certified organic, non-GMO seeds, with an emphasis on heirloom varieties. The Helfricks go so far as preferring hand tools to tractors when it comes to tilling the land, and certain plants are used to attract useful insects that eat pests. -- -- ... https://www.courierherald.com/business/keeping-things-natural-come-hell-or-high-water/

St. Paul honors boxing club, German-style brewery, fourth-generation florist and bread deliverers - St. Paul Pioneer Press

Paul businesses for their superior service and dedication to community. The winners were chosen by a panel of judges that included former winners and business advisers — the Neighborhood Development Alliance, Wet Paint artists’ materials and framing, Eyes All Over eye care, Securian Financial, Tongue in Cheek restaurant, the Hmong Elders Center and and the Highland Business Association.A. Johnson & Sons Florist at 1738 Grand Ave. was recognized in the “Traditions” category, which honors a business that has been active in St. Paul for at least 20 years. The florists, now in their fourth generation, have operated a family-run shop on Grand Avenue since 1936. The store donates 10 percent of its sales to good causes, and proprietor Tom Johnson has been involved in the local district council and other civic efforts.“It’s really fun to see us go on and become a legacy,” Johnson told the council. “We also have a lot of customers that are second- and third-generation.”Waldmann Brewery & Wurstery at 445 Smith Ave. N. won the “New Kid on the Block” category, which recognizes a business that opened in St. Paul within the Past five years. After a historic building restoration that took five years, Tom Schroeder opened the brewery and restaurant in a former German lager saloon that dates back to 1857 — six months before Minnesota became a state.Schroeder thanked city staff and former City Council Member Dave Thune, who helped him navigate 14 public hearings and rewrite city code to allow a commercial use within a historic building on a residential street. “Dave, without your support, we would not have opened,” Schroeder said.Brake Bread at 1174 West Seventh St. won the “Good Neighbor” award, which honors a business that shows a dedication to improving the community. The bakery and cafe, which opened in 2014, uses local ingredients and delivers baked bread to subscribers by bicycle. Owners Nate Houge and Micah Taylor frequently participate in charitable fundraisers and offer a “Share the Loaf” program where subscribers can buy bread for others.Information on how to nominate a business for recognition is online at stpaul.gov/bizawards. https://www.twincities.com/2019/04/14/st-paul-honors-boxing-club-german-style-brewery-fourth-generation-florist-and-bread-deliverers/

Better Than Roses - The Newtown Bee

The company is certified by the Rainforest Alliance, which ensures it promotes decent wages for its employees, practices sustainable farming methods, protects forests and wildlife, and invests in education, health, and infrastructure, according to the description. The Sunshine Bouquet Company began in New Jersey before branching out to Florida and Columbia, which allowed “Sunshine to provide efficient, rapid delivery to the United States.”Ms Brisch said Big Y also offers flower bouquets and potted plants from local farms, like Cavicchio Greenhouse in Sudbury, Mass. Since Big Y is headquartered in Springfield, Mass., its local farms are located in Massachusetts or Connecticut. Newtown Big Y Store Director Angelo Soto shared a list of all of its local farms, and those include Casertano’s Greenhouse in Cheshire, Connecticut Valley Flower in Hamden, Geremia Greenhouse in Wallingford, and Grower Direct in Somers.“There are so many local things to chose from,” said Ms Brisch.From choosing to support a conscientious company to finding ways to support local farms there is more to consider than just the color of a bouquet’s assorted flowers.Off-Season OptionsConnecticut-grown flowers can be hard to find in the winter.Natalie Collette of The Gardenist of Norwalk offers floral arrangements and designs, along with garden design support and maintenance, according to her Facebook page, The Gardenist. She mostly sells her flowers to local florists and people who contact her directly. A farmer florist, Ms Collette said she has private properties where she plants seasonal flowers, all organically. She harvests and creates bouquets along with maintaining a dahlia farm in New Haven. Growers in Connecticut, unless they have a greenhouse, do not grow flowers out of se... https://www.newtownbee.com/better-roses/02102019

Petals by the Beach uses donation to spread kindness through flowers - A beach florist got an unusual contribution and request recently: $500 from a Pacific Beach woman to pass out flowers to random passers-by. “We have never seen such generosity ... - San Diego Community News

That was pretty cool.”The donation came from Pacific Beach resident Thera Storm, who is a grief counselor. Storm said the recent back-to-back mass shootings in Texas and Ohio, that left at least 31 people dead, prompted her to do something extraordinary.“After those two shootings within 13 hours of each other, I noticed the reaction on Facebook was just so scary and negative,” said Storm. “The next morning I sat down and thought, ‘What could I do that’s positive?’ Then I had the idea of donating money to a local flower shop.”Storm was almost afraid of the reaction she’d get from Cummings, whom she didn’t know, when she approached her with her unorthodox plan. But Storm shouldn’t have worried.“She donated a generous amount at our shop for us to pass out flowers to complete strangers,” said Cummings. “She wasn’t paying it forward. In her words, ‘She wanted to spread kindness to the masses.’”Cummings took Storm’s money and honored her request.“For two weeks I’ve been passing out flowers every day to random people walking by of all different ages,” Cummings said, adding she wasn’t embarrassed about it. “I just said, ‘We had a customer recently donate a significant amount of money, and we’re spreading kindness and happiness.’”The reaction to Storm’s flower donation has been uplifting. “People said that is so nice, we need more of that,” said Cummings, adding, “A few people even cried. I began taking pictures (of recipients) and putting them on our Facebook and Instagram pages.”“I feel like I had a very small, passive role,” said Storm of her gesture. “All of the work has been done by Melissa.”It’s Storm's practice to take 10 percent of every paycheck and stash it away to do something special at a later date. Asked if being a grief counselor factors into her humanita... http://www.sdnews.com/view/full_story/27660789/article-Petals-by-the-Beach-uses-donation-to-spread-kindness-through-flowers-?instance=bbp

Wild Honey Flower Truck is Birmingham's florist on wheels - Alabama NewsCenter

We decided on the kind of truck that we liked.”[embedded content]Wild Honey Flower Truck is blooming in Birmingham from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.When they found a potential truck in Ohio, Sizemore sent her father-in-law to check it out. When it earned a thumbs-up, they had the truck towed to Birmingham.“We started the process of really transforming the truck into something that could house the flowers,” she said.That meant a paint job, building out the back to carry flower vases and adding an awning.Next came procuring flowers by working with wholesalers, flower markets and other dealers.With the truck ready and outfitted with flowers, the only decision was where to go to sell them.“We just sought out the places that we really like to go,” Sizemore said.That could mean being outside of the Pizitz building one day and in Woodlawn the next.You can also find Wild Honey Food Truck at the West Homewood Farmer’s Market every Tuesday night this summer.The warmer weather and opening of seasonal markets and festivals has made for a busy time for Wild Honey Flower Truck, which started sales in November.“This is our first spring and summer season,” Sizemore said. “We’re really figuring it out as we go. We’re trying to have the truck out every weekend.”The truck tends to draw a crowd and creates many opportunities for selfies. Sizemore has grown used to the reactions.“I think they’re pretty surprised,” she said. “Most people want to take pictures with the truck. They ask a lot of questions about the truck and how old it is. I think it’s a very Instagram-able business, so people really like that. They can make a bouquet and take a picture with it and it helps us spread the word, too.”One area of growth the Sizemores see is corporate events. Businesses like having the truck show up and then the bosses buy flowers for employees. She would like to see that side of the busines... https://alabamanewscenter.com/2019/06/28/wild-honey-flower-truck-is-birminghams-florist-on-wheels/

Royer's Flowers and Gifts CEO talks about returning to the family business - Reading Eagle

O in January.The grandson of founder Hannah Royer, who started the company by selling home-grown flowers in local textile mills, Royer now oversees a company that has 19 locations in Pennsylvania and Ohio and 400 employees. Royer believes Royer's is the largest family-owned florist in the country and sells more flowers than anyone outside of supermarkets.Business Weekly: Did you always plan to get involved in the family business? Thomas Royer: "No, because I had a career in it before I went to college. I worked there so much, and I wanted to try different things. I did that, and you always hear the old adage 'the grass is always greener.' After two years, I was like, 'I'm going back to the flower business,' because the restaurant business was crazy. I could've gone into other businesses, but I always liked the retail industry. So I came back in like 1980, and I've been here ever since."BW: Why did you decide to come back to Royer's? TR: "When I got out of school I lived in Houston and I was in the restaurant business. I always thought that working here was long hours. There was no comparison when I lived in Texas; we were working 100-hour weeks. That's when the oil boom was going on, and Houston was growing by leaps and bounds so there wasn't enough people for all the jobs and we couldn't keep people at our restaurant. It fell back on the manager and assistant manager to open and close."BW: Valentine's Day is just around the corner. How much business does Royer's do this time of year? TR: "Dollar wise, we do more sales at Valentine's Day than any other time. Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are the two big ones. The thing about Valentine's Day is it's such a short timeframe because most people don't want to buy it too far ahead of time. We do so much business in three days. The 12th, 13th and 14th are the three busiest days of the year for us, and we do about 8 percent of our business on those three days. Mother's Day, we do the same number of units of arrangements and plants, it's just that our dollars in s... https://www.readingeagle.com/business-weekly/article/royers-flowers-and-gifts-ceo-talks-about-returning-to-the-family-business

Akron Ohio News - City Gardener & Florist offering flowers, gifts, more - Akron Leader Publications

The 26-year-old business, owned by Paul Moore and Nicolas Suarez, is located at 329 N. Chestnut St. in the historic 1897 Victorian home of Thomas Mendenhall, the first professor of physics at The Ohio State University, according to business officials.Bernadette Thomas, the business’ designer and marketer, said City Gardener is a full-service florist that creates arrangements using fresh or silk flowers and plants, planters, as well as a variety of gift baskets that can include fruit, teas, chocolates and truffles, tea biscuits, cheese and crackers and more.Delivery is available to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and funeral homes in various parts of Akron, with a full listing of those areas provided at citygardener.com.“We offer creative and quality designs and exceptional service that brings customers back to us,” said Thomas. “We are customer driven, and our relationship with our clients is important. We take care of families, from the birth of a child, to graduations, to weddings and in death.”The business also includes the Potting Shed, a shop housed in an old barn that offers a wide variety of gardening accessories and furniture, decorative planters, urns, statuary, benches and birdbaths. Also sold are gift items such as jewelry, photography, soy candles, artisan wind chimes and fairy gardens. Some items are displayed throughout a picturesque courtyard.The Potting Shed is open through late fall. For more details, visit gardenerpottingshed.com.In addition, the grounds include an outdoor space like a secret garden, according to Thomas. She added City Gardener & Florist has become a destination site, offering an opportunity to explore the unique 122-year-old home. Thomas added Mendenhall’s great, great, great granddaughter is using the site to make a documentary film.Thomas stated City G... http://akron.com/akron-ohio-business-news.asp?aID=41216