Meet My Florist Showcasing your local florist
FEATURING
RICHIE’S FLORIST
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Meet My Florist Showcasing your local florist Welcome to Meet My Florist magazine, a publication that gives you new insight into the wonders of your local flower shop. Your florist is an important part of your community. The following pages will provide you with information to help you better utilize your florist, and make you a more informed floral consumer. Flowers are something that anyone can appreciate and everyone enjoys. Flowers always make a beautiful statement, expressing a wide range of sentiments to compliment any occasion. You can always make someone smile with flowers! Choosing the perfect flowers for your occasion can be a daunting task. Let your florist guide and help you create the perfect arrangement. Your florist will help you express your sentiments with flowers. This issue of Meet My Florist magazine features Richie’s Florist. Gretchen of Richie’s Florist gives you an insider’s look into her flower shop, and share with you the many ways that she helps customers with all their floral needs. In addition, you will get information about how to get more from your plants and flowers.
When you buy from a Mom and Pop business, you are supporting your community. Your local florist is another family in your community, your neighbor, and your friend. Our customers are our shareholders. We strive to make you happy. Thank you for your support! Feb 2019 | © Meet My Florist Periodical
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RICHIE’S FLORIST (530) 458 - 5174
MEET GRETCHEN OF
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y mom bought the shop in 197 1. I had just graduated from high school, so I worked for her part time. In 1983, my mom asked me if I wanted to buy the shop, so I kicked the idea around with my husband, and we ended up buying the shop. Then my mom came to work for me. Next my older sister moved to Yuba City and started helping out too. I rented for 12 years and then I was fortunate to buy the building. This is a historic building. It was the first city hall of Colusa. If you go outside there’s a plaque on the building. It’s also been a fire department as well as Western Auto (in the 60’s), and then Country Squire, a gentleman’s clothing store. And that’s who I bought it from.
I still have one old man who comes in occasionally and asks, “Where’s the Jeans?“ Why I got into flowers. My sisters and I are all artsy, but I’m the one who ended up owning the shop. I didn’t know what I wanted to be. I thought I was going to be a bookkeeper or something, because I enjoy that part of the business. And that’s where I sort of started with my mother. Then one Mother’s Day, they told me, “You’ve been around here long enough: stop watching, start making.” Well, at first, I’m like, is this arrangement I designed okay? Is this okay? And before I knew it, I was hooked. Then this thing kind of exploded, and two years later I was a full on designer. Later on my daughter Kirsten took over the bookwork. Thank God she comes into RICHIESFLORIST.NET
help out. I enjoyed doing my mother’s books but I really loved the flowers and the creative aspects of the work. I paint a little, but my sister Rachelle’s the better painter. We sisters all have our little niches. Mine’s the flowers, Rachelle’s the painting, and Juliette’s, the artist.
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Keeping Plants Happy FERTILIZE every month. Most plants like a little boost to keep them looking their best.
DEADHEAD SPENT BLOOMS Keep the blooms coming by removing spent blooms from your flowering plants.
ORCHIDS are a plant category of their own. Water orchids sparingly with ice cubes to prevent blooms dropping from over watering (one ice cube a week).
REMOVE DECORATIVE WRAPPERS as soon as possible. Drainage keeps plant roots happy.
LESS FREQUENT but deep watering is most effective. Don’t let your plant sit in standing water; let it drain after watering.
GET THE LIGHT RIGHT Place your plants near light but never in direct sunlight. 4
RICHIE’S FLORIST (530) 458 - 5174
MANY BLOOMING PLANTS are meant to be outdoor plants. After the blooms are spent, find a happy home for your blooming plant in your garden or in an outdoor container.
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EXTENDING CUT FLOWER LIFE LOCATION MATTERS. Keep Flowers in a cool place and away from direct sunlight if possible. Avoid vents with blowing air.
PRESERVATIVE FEEDS THE BLOOMS. Add commercial plant food to the water every time you change the water.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE WATER. Always remember to keep water levels up! Change the water when cloudiness appears.
RECUT STEMS AFTER A FEW DAYS. Every few days, cut 1” from each stem at an angle to bypass clogged stems. Your flowers will draw water and the blooms will be happy longer.
TRIM OR REMOVE SPENT FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE. Keep your arrangement looking its best by taking out wilted blooms or leaves. This also prevents contamination of the water and increases the longevity of your arrangement.
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The Magic of
Flowers & Plants There is nothing like the thrill of receiving flowers. You feel special: someone is thinking about you, wanting to lift your spirits and make your day! Flowers touch all our senses, from visual vibrant colors to sweet fragrances. These powerful elements evoke pleasant memories of past times. Flowers are timeless, and bring those sweet memories to the present. Who isn’t thrilled by the brilliance of color, the richness of life in the garden! We give plants and flowers because we love the beauty of the outdoors. Giving plants and flowers as gifts brings the garden indoors for us to enjoy. More to consider: Flowers can be a gift for anyone. From son to father, daughter to mom, friend to friend... tell someone they are special with flowers. Give flowers at unexpected times. Giving flowers is a spontaneous act of kindness that will brighten any person’s day. Consider flowers as a thank you! Acknowledge all that someone has done for you by giving them flowers. The bottom line: let someone know that you are thinking about them. Flowers always say, “I’m here for you!”
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RICHIE’S FLORIST (530) 458 - 5174
Romance FLOWERS FOR
Flowers are a powerful way to express your caring and love. If you are looking to express only friendship, you can say that with flowers. If you are trying to say, “Just because,” you can say that with flowers too. If you want to say the big, “I love you,” you can proclaim your love with flowers. Whatever you are trying to express, you can always say it with flowers.
BE SPONTANEOUS! Don’t wait for a specific occasion to send flowers... score big points on any day.
ROSES ARE FOR ROMANCE. Certain flowers come with meanings. The rose has always been a symbol of love. SURPRISE THEM AT WORK. Brighten her day... really make her smile!
ADD A LOVE NOTE. Add a special card or hand written note to your arrangement.
TAKE THINGS UP A NOTCH. Add a box of chocolates or a special gift to your floral arrangement.
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LET’S
Celebrate
Celebrate Life’s milestones with flowers! Flowers add grace and elegance to every celebration. You can always celebrate the passage of a major milestones with flowers. Nothing beautifies a table better than flowers. No matter what your look, there are many possibilities for decorating with flowers. Let your florist decorate your gazebo, or make fabulous table centerpieces. Your florist will take your party to the next level.
CHOOSE A FOCAL POINT Do an impact arrangement on an entry table or as a centerpiece on a buffet table.
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RICHIE’S FLORIST (530) 458 - 5174
USE AN EXPERT Get expert help from your florist, and your beautiful arrangements will take your party to a higher level.
DECIDE: ELEGANT OR CASUAL? Flower choices depend on the look you want to create.
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IT’S YOUR
Party
PICK A THEME & COORDINATE The theme of the party along with the time of year can help jump start ideas. Use containers and arrangement styles to complement your party theme. CONSIDER USING MULTIPLE STYLES & SIZES An assortment of coordinating arrangements of varying heights makes for a dazzling presentation.
CREATE IMPACT Use one or two focal flowers common to all the arrangements, and then fill in with less expensive florals. For example, use bright orange lilies and then surround them with mixed chrysanthemums. 12
RICHIE’S FLORIST (530) 458 - 5174
FLOWER BIRTHDAY CAKES ARE INCREDIBLE. Surprise everyone when you order a flower birthday cake!
FOR NEW BIRTHS SEND FLOWERS HOME Most moms aren’t in the hospital that long, so send the flowers to the home.
BALLOONS ARE FESTIVE AND FUN. Create a sense of excitement when you accessorize with balloons.
ACCESSORIZE your flowers with a plush animal or baby toy to make it more personal. RICHIESFLORIST.NET
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A LOOK INSIDE RICHIE’S FLORIST Let The Flower Shop create a personal floral design that reflects exactly what you want to say. Whether it be a sentiment of love, condolence or encouragement, there is an arrangement out there for everyone. Flowers are also an excellent way to beautify your home. One person may prefer a contemporary tropical arrangement while another loves the tradition of a dozen roses. Whatever your preference, Richie’s Florist is there to accommodate you.
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Wedding
Y
our wedding day is one of the most special days in your life. Organizing this event can become a major undertaking. One way to help ease the planning burden is to have your florist guide you along the way. Your florist will be happy to provide you with a free wedding consultation so that you can sit down and personally share your ideas, and discuss the flower budget. Since every bride is unique, your florist will want to get to know you and your own personal tastes and style. Not everyone wants to have a traditional style wedding. Your florist can help you creatively express your personality or interests.
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RICHIE’S FLORIST (530) 458 - 5174
PLANNING Be prepared with your wedding colors before meeting with your florist. Consider the style of wedding you’d like, and even the venue.
KEEP IT LOCAL & SEASONAL Choosing local and seasonal flowers is the way to go, and will give you more bang for your buck.
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REPURPOSE YOUR FLOWERS Don’t leave your ceremony flowers at the altar... take them to your reception! Aisle arrangements can be used for centerpieces or on the buffet tables. The bridesmaid bouquets can add color to a cake table or the head table.
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IF YOUR ARE REALLY SET ON A CERTAIN EXPENSIVE FLOWER. When your favorite flower is expensive, save on your budget by using it only in your bridal bouquet. You can substitute less expensive flowers into centerpieces or use only a small quantity of expensive flowers in select places.
BE OPEN TO VARIETIES AND COLORS Some of the more common flowers are available in a huge variety of beautiful colors! RICHIESFLORIST.NET
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tribute
Sending sympathy flowers is an important expression of love and support for the grieving family, as well as an opportunity to honor a person’s life. When we think of a funeral as a celebration of life, what could be better than a room full of flowers? The beauty of flowers is symbolic of life itself, and is always an appropriate tribute to a loved one. Let your florist help you send the perfect expression of your sympathy and love.
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RICHIE’S FLORIST (530) 458 - 5174
BE MINDFUL OF CULTURE. Certain cultures have very specific traditions. For example, Muslims won’t appreciate a cross, and Eastern Orthodox place the highest value on white flowers. PHOTOGRAPHS ADD A VISUAL PERSPECTIVE. A photo image of your Loved one in a wreath of flowers can be a fitting tribute. REMEMBER THEIR PASSIONS OR THEIR CAREER. If you know specific details of passions of the Loved one, your florist can incorporate a symbol of those passions, such as a baseball cap, or golf club. FLOWERS ARE ALWAYS APPROPRIATE. Even if the family has requested donations to a specified cause, it always is appropriate to also send flowers.
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More from Gretchen Why Give Flowers? I think number one, flowers just brighten a person’s day. We used to run this little ad in the town paper: Tell us a reason to give flowers— the best answer gets a free arrangement. One answer we got was, “give them because they never get them”. It turns out we knew of this older lady who was kind of by herself who never received flowers. We sent her flowers and they just lit up her day. It was wonderful to see her reaction! Tribute Flowers Then there’s the flowers for services. It is comforting to the grieving family that people are thinking of them, and sending an expression of love through flowers. Because we are a small town, we sometimes have 20 or 30 florals decorating a church. It really shows that the person was well loved.
Flowers for birthdays. Imagine going to the door, flowers in hand. Someone opens the door and their face lights up. “Who me?” They’re just shocked to be getting flowers. A great smile because someone thought of them. That’s what we florist see when we deliver flowers. Advice about Weddings You know, what makes a wedding to me is the food and the flowers over everything else. Because if you get a bad meal, you remember. You know, it’s the food and the flowers. Those are the two things that you really should put some money and thought into because that’s what people are going to remember.
that empty space out front and that’s how we got into giftwares. And so, little by little, after 25 years, we now have an extensive line of giftwares.. We started out with garden accessories because they go so well with flowers and plants. In time we added wind chimes and stepping stones. We now have a really nice line of cards. We also have candy. Our line of Yankee candles is a. good seller. And things just keep growing from there. When I see something I think somebody will be interested in, I try to pick it up.
Getting into Giftwares Being in business so long you learn a lot. And my mother, you know, taught me a lot. This building is 4,000 square feet. After we built our design area we asked ourselves what are we going to do with all RICHIESFLORIST.NET
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427 Market St, Colusa, CA 95932 richiesflorist.net (530) 458-5174
Jan 2019 | Š Meet My Florist Periodical