Mary Jean Kelso/Nevada Appeal News Service Lori Patrick, right, works on an arrangement at her shop, Always Flowers & Fine Things, while employees Julie Fuller and Linda Freeland look on. A third employee, Jessica Eaton, is not shown.
Everyone always comments on how "time flies." In the case of Always Flowers & Fine Things, the first business to move into the new section of Scolari's Shopping Center, that is truly the case.
It hardly seems possible that the store has been there three months, let alone more than 12.
"We were the first to move in," said Lori Patrick, store owner. "We opened May 2, 2007.
"Now, the buildings are all full. With the new restaurants opening up, the shopping center is busier now."
Patrick has found that the year "went by fast."
"Now we are anticipating lots more traffic with the Bank America building going up and all the stores open," she said.
Patrick said the business was two years in the planning "from thought to key in the door. We did a lot of research."
The store stocks flowers (real and silk) and specialty gifts, which include teapots and cups with roses on them - a popular item.
The Patricks moved from Reno to Fernley a year before opening the shop, and they weren't disappointed in the changes they made in their lives.
"Fernley was growing, and it seemed like a good place to have a business," Patrick said. "It's still growing.
"We got great reception from the community. People came in and thanked us, saying 'they were happy to have more selection.'"
"Everyone has been very supportive. The Chamber has been very good to us. The city was very welcoming. We had a very warm welcome," Patrick said.
The store stocks lots of silk flowers, candles and vases and other ceramic pieces.
The quality of the silk flowers is so good, it is hard to tell the real thing from the artificial.
For those who can't tell the difference, "I tell people, 'if they're in the cooler, they're real'," Patrick said.
Always Flowers & Fine Things employs three people, besides Patrick. Patrick's brother, Trace Long, also helps out with deliveries.
The store is now open on summer hours: weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed on Sunday.
You can e-mail Lori@AlwaysFlowersNV.com or call 575-1313 for more information.
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