Jun 17, 2009

The Flower Shop Offers Warmth, Variety, GiftsBy Jaimie CuraZWire.com

Bethlehem – The world according to Julie Clifford and Kelly Kennedy is one filled with chrysanthemums and candles.

The two women, who have worked together for approximately 20 years, own The Flower Shop at 151 Main St. North. The shop opened in May.

Ms. Clifford has more than 30 years of experience in the floral business. She previously owned a local garden center that also served as a floral and gift shop. Ms. Kennedy has 20 years of experience in the business.

“We always worked together,” Ms. Kennedy told Voices.

The warmth that comes from two women who have worked alongside each other for years is evident in The Flower Shop. The mood, like the shop, is light and charming.

The windows are covered in airy, white curtains that let in the maximum amount of sunlight. The walls are painted a tan color and the floors are wood. These earthy tones allow the colorful flowers placed around the shop to stand out.

A display set up in the center of the shop changes based on seasons or occasions. In the early summer months, the display was decorated with gifts for teachers, featuring a balloon with the message, “My Teacher Rules,” small potted plants and floral arrangements in metal watering cans.

The Flower Shop offers flower arrangements and bouquets for any occasion. Ms. Clifford and Ms. Kennedy do arrangements for weddings, funerals, graduations and private parties, to name a few occasions.

The shop also offers framed art of flowers and gifts for that extra, added something. A display case features jewelry by Allure, and on a nearby wooden table, soy-based Dakota Scents candles, that come in hues of yellow and purple, with scents like lemon pucker and field of dreams.

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