Bradenton, FL Florists

Bradenton Flower Shop News

After 125 years, Manatee company delivering fresh flowers differently - Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Palma Sola Bay. It's at 11703 40th Ave W, Bradenton, just off Cortez Road before the bridge to Anna Maria Island.The greenhouses are a wonderland of blossoms. Turn one way and you might find yourself hedged in by rows of tulips. Stumble backward and you could suddenly be staring into a purple sea of peonies and bougainvillea.The company ships to a variety of retail chains and independent garden centers. You can find Manatee Farms products at more than 150 retail florists throughout Florida, 50-plus independent garden centers from Naples to Central Florida, and at supermarkets, such as Albertson’s and Safeway, as well as wholesalers and brokers nationwide.Flowers and feelingsThough the business depends on executing the logistics of delivering fresh products, Preston is equally comfortable talking about the value of what Manatee Fruit Co. brings to its customers.“Flowers are a business of feelings," he said. "There’s a saying that flowers are the language of love, and they really are. When you think about the unspoken word, the word you can never really say, you can say that with flowers.“Flowers fulfill that moment when no one really knows what to say, and we’ll always need that.”That's the message of the company's latest transformation.Hurricane Irma slowed the rollout of the company's re-branding effort last year, damaging several buildings, including greenhouses and a packing house that was built in 1926. But by April the new Manatee Farms brand was fully formed and public with a new look, feel and focus as well as  name.Cortez Floral and Manatee Floral, two companies under the umbrella company Manatee Fruit Co., were consolidated.Beyond fresh, sustainably grownManatee Farms now is offering “choices that matter” to consumers that care about how the products they buy are produced. The goal is to attract, engage and inform consumers and to be as transparent as possible about where and how their flowers are produced.Robert McLaughlin, chief sustainability and marketing officer for Manatee Farms, has largely spearheaded the re-branding.“This is the decade of responsible choices, and that resonates with consumers,” McLaughlin said. “We focus on eco-friendly flowers and plants, ensuring that they are certified so that we can ensure that every flower is held to certain standards.”According to Manatee Farms, its eco-friendly flowers also are good for the people who work on the farms that grow them and means that “every purchase helps improve the lives of farmworkers by providing fair wages, health care benefits, education programs and employment of women.”The company requires that farms they work with have sustainability certifications, such as USDA Organic, Rainforest Alliance or Fresh from Florida. According to the company, certified farms employ 60 percent women and are far more likely to offer higher wages and produce higher standards of living for their workers.Many of these farms also use integrated pest management as opposed to heavy pesticides, meaning that more common-sense, long-term practices are used to achieve the same results. Examples are vacuuming pests out of plants and using organisms like spiders to eat harmful pests, such as thrips, which puncture and damage plants.Getting the word outIn an effort to create a more direct link between customers and its product, the company is placing interactive digital kiosks in some stores that can help educate consumers about where their flowers come from.“We want to create a source for the consumers so that we’re reaching out in different ways and allowing access to all this information right in the retailer,” McLaughlin said.The ultimate goal is to attract customers, engage them, inform them and send them to the retailers that carry the Manatee Farms brand.For McLaughlin, part of the re-branding is taking into account a balanced three-pill... https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20180611/after-125-years-manatee-company-delivering-fresh-flowers-differently

Valentine’s Day is a labor of love for many small businesses - Bradenton Herald

From signature red roses to colorful carnations, Louise Josey has spent the past 30 Valentine’s Day holidays keeping up with the demand of Bradenton-area customers eager to court that special someone. And despite the hustle and bustle that can make this time of year overwhelming for businesses that specialize in gifts from the heart, she’s loved every minute of it. “It’s wonderful, it’s stressful and it’s rewarding,” said Josey, now 83 and celebrating her 30th year as owner of Josey’s Posey Florist at 6100 Manatee Ave. W. in Bradenton. “We’ve had a very, very heavy flow the last week. We expect to be busy right through (Tuesday) and we’ll take on as much as we can.”... https://www.bradenton.com/news/business/article132445549.html

Ribbon cutting: Bradenton Flower Shop - Bradenton Herald

A ribbon cutting was held for Bradenton Flower Shop, 5262 State Road 64 E., Bradenton. The company offers fine floral arrangements and gifts to the Bradenton area and all of Manatee County, backed by service that is friendly and prompt. For more information, call 941-727-4111 or bradentonflowershop.com.Do you have a ribbon cutting you’d like to submit? Send it to Angie Monroe at amonroe@bradenton.com.Photo courtesy of Manatee Chamber of Commerce. http://www.bradenton.com/news/business/article157332689.html

Valentine's Day is a labor of love for many small businesses - Bradenton Herald

From signature red roses to colorful carnations, Louise Josey has spent the past 30 Valentine’s Day holidays keeping up with the demand of Bradenton-area customers eager to court that special someone.And despite the hustle and bustle that can make this time of year overwhelming for businesses that specialize in gifts from the heart, she’s loved every minute of it.“It’s wonderful, it’s stressful and it’s rewarding,” said Josey, now 83 and celebrating her 30th year as owner of Josey’s Posey Florist at 6100 Manatee Ave. W. in Bradenton. “We’ve had a very, very heavy flow the last week. We expect to be busy right through (Tuesday) and we’ll take on as much as we can.”Florists, jewelers, candy shops and restaurants are among those doing all they can to try to cash in on the romantic holiday that has become big business.It’s wonderful, it’s stressful and it’s rewarding.Louise Josey, 83, who is celebrating her 30th year as owner of Josey’s Posey Florist in Bradenton, on the buildup to Valentine’s DayAccording to a survey from the National Retail Federation, spending for Valentine’s Day is expected to reach $18.2 billion this yea... http://www.bradenton.com/news/business/article132445549.html

Manatee History Matters: Don Flowers was a local hero, veteran - Bradenton Herald

Manatee County where he went to work for Foster Drug for years. Later he bought the business (keeping the name) and became well-known to residents as the local pharmacist in downtown Bradenton. At this time, Flowers also commanded the Palmetto National Guard unit and was instrumental in integrating the Florida National Guard. He retired as a lieutenant colonel after 55 years' service.Flowers was a local hero and was responsible for training hundreds of young men to defend our county. During his active duty service, Flowers received 18 air medals, a Distinguished Flying Cross, a Purple Heart, and a commendation letter signed by World War II heroes Gen. George S. Patton Jr. and endorsed by Gen. Omar Bradley.There are many veterans all over the United States with similar stories. As Americans, it is our responsibility to remember and honor those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom.Steve Ahern, maintenance technician at Palmetto Historical Park, is knowledgeable about military artifacts and he can build whole museum exhibits out of popsicle sticks and other "junk." Reach him at steve.ahern@manateeclerk.com or call 941-723-4991. http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article37056954.html

Florists wilt under COVID-19's impact, losing Easter and Mother's Day would be devastating - yoursun.com

Andree Belliveau, the owner of North Port Natural Florist off Tamiami Trail, on Thursday ended walk-in traffic with Florida’s order to shutter non-essential businesses. But she pushes forward, taking calls and web orders and delivering, hoping that COVID-19 will runs its cycle and vanish.“We’ll see what happens,” she said. https://www.yoursun.com/northport/news/florists-wilt-under-covid-19s-impact-losing-easter-and-mothers-day-would-be-devastating/article_2e88771e-75de-11ea-a009-0b875913d327.html

Best of Inland Empire 2020: Best Florist - Press-Enterprise

Riverside Mission Florist3900 Market St., Riverside; 951-369-8150, riversidemissionflorist.com3. Floral Expressions210 W. Florida Ave., Hemet; 951-766-1997, floralexpressionsofhemet.com ... https://www.pe.com/2020/09/20/best-of-inland-empire-2020-best-florist

Obituaries for October 8 - Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Puna Florist, sugar cane grower and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Private services held. Survived by daughters, Diana Ponsonby of Nevada and Bernadine Nentwig of Florida; sons, Albert (Shirley) Araujo of Michigan, Gordon Araujo and Robert Araujo of Hilo and Douglas (Faith) Araujo of Minnesota; brothers, Michael Souza and Lawrence Souza of Hilo; sister, Marie (James) Souza of Nevada; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.Ralph Rogelio Cordoban, 72 of Honokaa died June 20 at Hale Ho‘ola Hamakua. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired truck driver. Private services at a later date. Online condolences: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by son, Ryan (Christina) Cordoban of Honokaa; daughter, Royalan Cordoban of Colorado Springs, Colo.; companion, Linda Anahu of Honolulu; sisters, Loretta (Doug) Whitaker of Charleston, S.C., and Alona (Alan) Kondo of Kohala; seven grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.Eric Moani Hori, 55, of Kailua-Kona died July 26 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he was a heavy equipment operator and cook for Meals on Wheels. Services at later date. Survived by wife, Tammy Awai-Hori of Hilo; daughter, Maluhia Awai of ... https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2020/10/08/obituaries/obituaries-for-october-8-6/

Richard LaMontagne | Obituary | Salem News - The Salem News

Danvers Massachusetts where he excelled in botany. After graduation he opened up Flowers by Dick, a florist shop on North St. in Salem, Mass. There he thrived for many years before moving to Florida. In Florida, Richard ran a number of businesses including an orange grove, three more florist shops, a furniture store and a number of real estate ventures. Beyond his success, the most important thing to Richard, affectionately known as Dick to the many who loved him, was his family. He was a devoted husband to Mary and the dedicated father of eight children. He always encouraged all his children to realize that they could accomplish anything they wanted in life. Dick was someone who led by example whether it was his work ethic, his generosity to others or his deep faith in God. To know Dick was to love him. Dick loved spending time with his family and was always up for a good time. His infectious smile and Dad jokes were always a great addition to any gathering. He loved touring the country with his family in his motorhome and he enjoyed taking cruises with them to the islands. Dick was the kind of person who could talk to anybody and have a good time, always making everybody feel better. He could pick up a conversation with a friend he had not seen in twenty years just as if it were yesterday. He loved Florida but he also cherished his roots in New England. He never missed the opportunity to travel north where he loved the changing leaves, the spring blooms and the smell of the ocean air in Rockport. Later in life, as a true labor of love, Dick sacrificed much to take care of his cherished wife Mary, who had suffered a stroke. Many called him a saint on earth but to him, it was simply love. Dick will be sorely missed by his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brothers and many other friends and relatives who so deeply loved him. But everybody who ever knew him will also smile when they think of him, just glad to have been loved by such a kind and wonderful man. Dick can now be found in heaven rejoicing with Mary, his parents, his brothers and a multitude of relatives and friends who so sincerely loved him. The family will receive friends Friday, February 12, 2021 from 4 to 8 pm at Gary Panoch Funeral Home in Boca Raton, Fla. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. with burial following at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery, North Lauderdale, Fla. Published on February 12, 2021 ... https://obituaries.salemnews.com/obituary/richard-lamontagne-1081606303