
Everyday life can become a burden at times; we fill our days with endless checklists and leave little room for enjoyment and fun. Many things that bring us joy can seem like a luxury, just out of reach, but fresh cut flowers can be a sweet way to find some much needed delight in your day. Located in Community Corners directly behind Talbots as you pull in off Hanshaw, lies a flower shop that you are hopefully already familiar with. If you are not, this is the home of Flower Fashions by Haring. It is the longest running business in Community Corners, opening its doors on October 21st, 1959, making it part of the rich history of the Village.
The original owner of Flower Fashions was Howard or “Smokey” Haring, helped by his wife Edie Haring and then passed down to their two sons Richard and Jimmy. The part of the building that Flower Fashions occupies was likely commissioned to be built specifically for the flower business, complete with a behind-the-counter workspace and a greenhouse which is used to store all sorts of beautiful plants for sale. Today Douglas and Holly Nash own and operate the business, keeping the reputation that the Haring family started all those years ago alive and well. The Nash’s, two very hard-working people, changed very little about the business when they took over in 2007. To sit down with me for an hour to give an interview was a welcome reprieve for them, from their endless hours put into ordering and organizing flowers, creating unique arrangements, advertising and selling their product, and so on. These two have been working with flowers for decades and have amassed a wealth of knowledge and artistic skill. In fact, both began their careers as young adults in the flower business, fell in love with the work and never left. The two met and fell in love with each other as well, while working at a flower shop in Binghamton. After marrying and moving back to the area, they eventually became owners of Flower Fashions. Now years later they head toward retirement having worked doing what they love, together, all these years!
Good service is a big deal for the Nash’s. They believe in providing the best flowers available, which means that they hand pick all the hanging baskets and potted plants that you see for sale in their shop. They source most of their cut flowers overnighted from Canada, quality being of utmost importance in things like longevity, variety and over all color and physical appearance. Once they receive all their stock the fun begins. Holly started working for the Harings in 1984, learning under Richard’s instruction and she continues to take ownership of the arrangements that are created daily for customers. She is especially adept at the large-scale events around this time of year at Cornell for graduation and alumni week. These events not only call for hundreds of small arrangements but also large, rented plants to stage a room with. Holly also has given flower arranging demonstrations for events such as the Ithaca Garden Club meetings. Doug naturally gravitates toward the front of house operations, enjoying the day-to-day interactions with walk in customers and regular clients. Calling himself a “people person”, he wants everyone to know that they are welcome any time, even if they don’t intend to buy something.
Business has had its ups and downs over the years for the Nash’s. It was a different world in 1959, when the shop first opened. For years retail has seen a decline in foot traffic with people preferring to order online and unlike in 1959, grocery stores have an abundance of cut flowers making it more convenient to purchase a bouquet with your weekly grocery order. Lately however, Doug feels that the climate is starting to turn around for local florist businesses such as his. He has noticed that more people are grateful for the opportunity to see, touch and smell before purchasing. Flower fashions, always changing, are swinging toward more natural, locally sourced and high quality, all of which you can find at Flower Fashions by Haring. Though Community Corners has been a good location for the Nash’s over the years with its proximity to Cornell, one of their biggest clients, they admit that people often remark about not knowing they are here. Relying on the extensive clientele that the Haring’s built all those years ago, the Nash’s do minimal advertising but would be happy to see a new generation of customers start to frequent their shop! For years, studies have shown the benefits of being around live flowers. The beauty of live plants and fresh flowers can improve moods and create more positive feelings in our brains. Open Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday 8:30am to 2pm; I implore you next time you are in the area to take a detour and literally stop and smell the roses! Maybe you will go home with a small bouquet, or maybe you will simply engage in conversation with Doug, but I guarantee you will go home a little lighter in spirit for having indulged your senses and done something just for you.
