Long term customer relationships are what every business strives for and I think we have established our fair share.

       In some of those relationships, over time, a friendship and a fondness can develop between a customer and a business (employees). When people are comfortable with each other then their real personalities can be exposed and enjoyed. 

       Just the other day one of those “friends” came in to buy a few things. We got to talking and he confided to me a serious medical condition that he has to deal with this week. I put on my positive face for him and made sure he knew that I believe things will work out. I believe they can and I pray they will.

        I then started thinking of the special friends that we  developed through the years that aren’t here any more. Several came to mind.

        Pam Case. Tall, blonde and 40 something. She was  pleasant and kind. She would come in barefoot and would always have something funny to say. Pam would seek out my manager, Bob Keenan. They were kindred spirits and would kid each other endlessly. She left us in the prime of her life. We were sad. 

        Mary Clinch. What a character. Her daughters. Melinda and Katherine, would accompany her to our nursery and help her shop.  I talked to her daughter, Melinda, Sunday. I asked her permission to call her mother “salty” in this blog. That is how I would describe her. Melinda approved but asked that I make a botanical comparison also. Okay. Mary was a cross between a sweet violet and a prickley pear. If we weren’t on our game she would give us a little verbal nudge... or maybe not so little.  We knew we deserved it but she did in such a way that we did not take it personally. When we got to know her we saw the softness underneath the rough exterior. We enjoyed her coming to see us. We do miss you!

        Marybeth Moon. Sweetness personified. I would find chocolate chip cookies on the counter and I immediately would know where they had came from. Her daughters also helped her shop for flowers. Mrs.Moon really appreciated our efforts and expressed it often.  Her daughters Sherry and Jody would always make sure she could enjoy beautiful flowers in her garden. One of her passions. It was hard to watch her decline and harder to have a loving daughter pass along the news of her death. God bless you Mrs. Moon.

        Some of those special customers that are currently still trading with us are Pat, Becky, Katy, the Andrews, Wiltsie, the Stricklins, the Atwoods, Kevin, Robin, Sue, Alice, and chemical Dave. Dave's nickname could change with organic gardening.         

         Many familiar customers stop coming to see us. Usually, we assume they move away. You need to know that you are much more to us than just the sum of your dollars spent at our store.