An Experienced Florist Blossoms As The New Owner Of Petal Pushers

By Kaaren Valenta

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. — Anais Nin

The little hand-lettered sign that hangs in Petal Pushers aptly describes how it came to be that Lori Luis decided to purchase the flower shop at 71 South Main in Ricky’s Plaza on August 3.

“I had been working for other florists in two other shops for the past 13 years,” Ms Luis said. “One day my husband said ‘There is a shop for sale in Newtown and I thought I’d buy it for you’ — and he did!”

When her husband Ernesto, a self-employed painting contractor, first broached the idea, Ms Luis was admittedly hesitant about such a large undertaking. But drawing strength from the words of the writer and diarist Anais Nin (1903–1977), she quickly realized that this was her own time to bloom.

The shop, launched by Karen Murphy almost five years ago, had a good following and Debbie Schneider, who had worked there from almost the beginning, agreed to stay on. Ms Murphy also stayed for the first three weeks to make the transition easy.

A Brookfield resident, Lori Luis got into the floral business after taking an adult education course at Danbury Hospital.

“My daughter, Sarah, had just been born and my mother suggested that I take the class,” Ms Luis said.”

She then worked for Diane Dailey at Ruth Chase Flowers for nine years and for John Cogliano at Don’s Flowers on West Street in Danbury for four years.

“They taught me everything that I know,” Ms Luis said. “They were wonderful teachers.”

After taking over Petal Pushers, Ms Luis had some existing contracts to fulfill including a wedding that took place on August 21. “That was the lovely day with the tornadolike rainstorm, but we did it!” she said.

Ms Luis said that while much of the shop will remain the same, she plans to get a much larger cooler so she can do more fresh flowers in addition to silk flowers. She also has added orchids, live plants and plant baskets, gift baskets, gourmet baskets, and accessories.

The shop is already busy with orders for the upcoming months. Petal Pushers has been booked to provide the flowers for Kevin’s Community Center’s annual ball on October 29 at Ridgewood Country Club in Danbury, for the Danbury Hospital Ball on November 20, and the Newtown Bicentennial Ball on February 6.

“I’m also doing one of the houses for the Dress For Success fundraising house tour in Fairfield on October 1,” Ms Luis said.

While Lori Luis took over the florist business, her oldest daughter Kristyn, 23, already has her own business, the Bella Rae hair salon in Danbury. Ms Luis’s children also include Tony, 16, Sarah, 13, Katie, 11, and granddaughter Dejah, 5.

Ms Luis’s mother died in 1994, but her words of encouragement linger in her daughter’s mind.

“I went to a seminar at the Omega Institute and found the quote from Anais Nin that I thought really described me,” Ms Luis said. “I hung the quote here and said ‘I’ve planted my own garden, Mom.’”

Petal Pushers is open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday and Saturday from 9 to 1. For more information call 270-1029.