Part Two: Ms. Edie, aka ‘The Flower Lady’
At some point in 2015, Bill asked Edie if she’d like to help out with the weekend farmstand. She was intrigued, and—fortunately for all of us—not intimidated by Bill’s ‘try out’…which involved a vase on a table, some flowers, and the prompt “Let’s see what you can do!”
If there had been any doubts about what Edie “could do,” she certainly proved herself more than worthy of the gig. Over the years, Edie built a loyal following of flower lovers who understood that an arrangement by Edie was more than just flowers in a vase. She was incredibly thoughtful with her designs and possessed an undeniable knack for pairing flowers with the perfect vessel. She still recalls a particularly special vase with yellows and blues that somehow made it back to the farm week after week.
“Every time that vase came back, I’d designed florals for it, and it would sell each week,” she says.
The vase! Along with one of the many special arrangements Edie made for it.
But while Edie attributes the streak to the vase’s unique qualities, it was more likely her talent in design that fueled its weekly disappearing act. With Edie at the helm, the Belvedere farmstand functioned like a popular little flower shop. Customers began to hire her for events: a big anniversary party at Belvedere Hotel, another at the Manor Tavern, and even her own granddaughter’s wedding. There were many home celebrations, including anniversaries, weddings, baby showers, birthdays, and graduations. She cherished being a part of these special moments, for as much as she loved the flowers, she loved the people more.
One of Edie’s treasured creations: a bridal bouquet for her granddaughter.
Before her career at Belvedere, Edie had not always dabbled in customer service. She came from a corporate career where she managed a large division and all the staff within it. But sometime after losing her husband Al, she fell into a job at Nordstrom, first selling hats and then working in the jewelry department. And so she discovered she was a natural with customers, as well as the value of those interactions. Although she instinctively borrowed tricks from her administrative career (she unfailingly submitted a fastidious account of sales after each farmstand market day), it was being around people at the farmstand that brought her joy.
“What else can I say? I am blessed to have the flower stand shoppers in my life. There are so many stories, so many memories,” she says. “I keep saying I’m going to write a book about it.”
Well, Edie…we can’t wait to pick up our copy of The Flower Stand from our favorite bookstore. True to form, it is sure to be legendary.