Sidelines Custom Floral Designs Celebrates 35 Years
Christina McDonough Hunt
It’s been 35 years of passion for beautiful flowers, 35 years of meaningful friendships, 35 years of wonderful memories, and 35 years of business for Martin City’s very own Sidelines Custom Floral Designs.
So, how do you celebrate 35 years of success?
By, honoring the ones that made you a success, of course! During the month of April, that is exactly what Sidelines is doing.
Sidelines will surprise 35 loyal customers with 35 coral rose flower bombs all month long.
“I think appreciation is key to happiness,” said owner Karyn Brooke. “We could throw a big party…but, I own a flower shop and I love what they do for people, so it just makes sense to evoke that emotion 35 times this month!”
The first deliveries were made on April 1st to Stephen Joyce and Indian Hills Country Club.
She chose Joyce and Indian Hills because in 1981, he was the one who inspired her to open her own floral shop. Her partnership in a previous flower shop had just ended. She gave the news to Joyce, general manager at Indian Hills Country Club, who was her client. “Then he said something I never expected,” she recalls. “‘What are you going to do?’ I said, ‘I don’t know.’ He said, ‘What do you need?’ I said, ‘Mr. Joyce, I need 24 hours. May I let you know this time tomorrow?’ And three weeks later, on April 1, 1984, Sidelines was created.”
With 35 years in the flower business, Brooke credits much of her success to those who have supported her and helped her grow as a person and as a business owner. She is most proud that Indian Hills is still a customer, that she had the honor to work with the late Jeanne and Neal Patterson, and that she’s created so many jobs for people.
“Jeanne saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. She challenged me in ways that made me a better person, better friend, and a better employer,” said Brooke. “And, I’m especially proud of the people that work for me. They jump in and create magic for our customers! I can say ‘yes’ to a big project because I know they will bring it and give their all.”
And, because of one of those amazing employees, Brooke will celebrate another milestone anniversary this year in May –20 years of marriage.
“We met through my very first employee, Suze Merritt, who still works for me today. Bob balances me and gives me strength. He makes me stop and smell the roses,” Brooke said with a smile.
As she looks ahead, Brooke is most looking forward to continuing to grow and evolve as things in the world change, and watching her young designers achieve their personal goals. She is proud to announce that, very soon, Sidelines will have 3 AIFD designers. AIFD is a floral design certification from the American Institute of Floral Designers. Brooke explained that it is rare to have 3 AIFD designers in one shop.
As Sidelines celebrates this 35th anniversary milestone, they will continue to build meaningful relationships and blanket the area with beautiful, one-of-a-kind flowers, one flower bomb at a time.