Cleveland the Florist has been added to the nominations for Shine A Light, a competition where small businesses could win up to $100,000 in grants and marketing support. But we need a cer

If you are not an employee or family member, please register and vote on the Shine A Light website ( http://shinealight.ivillage.com/ ).

Cleveland’s profile can be seen at http://shinealight.ivillage.com/sbo-profile/?ProfileID=5121 .

And don’t forget that we have a sale on fresh cut flowers. Everything is only $5! We have Lilies, Gerber Daisies, Hydrangeas, Snap dragons, ROSES, and bunches of other flowers.

All other plants are also on sale for just $5, $10, $15, $20, or $25 dollars.

Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to vote for Cleveland the Florist on the Shine A Light website.

Cleveland the Florist was founded in 1948.

“How has the business changed to compete with the big-box stores?”

LeNae: “By beating them on price and services. Five dollars has become the buzzword of the recession - there are $5 subs, lunches, and now $5 flowers. A dozen roses, Gerber daisies, hydrangeas, spray roses, glads, sunflowers, snapdragons, and seasonal flowers are all available to the flower market shopper at a $5 price. Service is where we compete. We are there to arrange, deliver, and handle any special request on a daily basis. We are local and know that our future depends on our customers.”

“How did the business get its start?”

LeNae: “My grandmother began by growing and selling azalea and camellia plant to Van Antwerp’s (Mobile’s first department store). The business grew, and my father joined her, opening stores on Stone Street, Highway 90, Airport Boulevard, Moffett Road, and Tillman’s Corner. I joined the business in 1986 and opened stores on Azalea, Cottage Hill, and Old Shell roads. With changing times, we now have two stores, Airport and Old Shell.”

“What are your claims to fame?”

LeNae: “I have arranged flowers for Laura Bush, Tim Russert, and Patsy Riley, and have had the pleasure of decorating our governor’s mansion for the holidays and Cabinet dinners on the veranda. I have appeared on “The Rachael Ray Show.” While living in Atlanta as a newlywed and working at a Buckhead florist, I decorated Mrs. Day’s (of Days Inn) home for the holidays. I also did the flowers for Coke’s large parties and personal executive parties.”

The best advice that Mrs. LeNae Denson has ever received was from her father. He always told her to work hard, dream big, and never give up.

Some advice that she can offer to others: “When you can, buy locally from small businesses. We are the heart of the city.”

Cleveland Florist’s products and services include selling flowers, cut flowers, arrangements and plants (green and blooming). They plan and execute weddings and have traveled all over Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi working with brides.

This information was taken from an article that was recently printed in the Mobile Register.

We are doing things a little differently at Cleveland Florist these days. We are cleaning and making room for new and wonderful plants at low prices. Green and blooming plants are priced at $5, $10, $15, $20, or $25 dollars.

Roses (dozen), Spray Roses (dozen), Lilies, Gerber Daisies, Hydrangeas, Glads, Sunflowers, and many other seasonal flowers are in bundles for only $5.00!

There is also a sale on gift items including candles, flower pots, and lots of other goodies. Everything is 75% off. So come in and take a look. You might find just what you needed.

Cleveland Florist is here to arrange, deliver, and handle any special request. We plan and execute weddings and have traveled all over Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi to make the bride’s day a dream come true. We are local, and know that our future depends on our customers.

We’re open Monday thru Saturday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

Rehersal dinners are often the first meeting of the two families and friends in a wedding. In the south we are lucky to have many large old southern mansions that are often opened to the public as a location for weddings and parties. Out of town guest love the southern mansion so why not have the rehersal dinner and wedding in the same location. For the out of towner it makes finding different locations much easier. As far as decorations, they can be changed and used for two events.

High and low conbinations of centerpieces make it possible for your guest to have a conversation over dinner, but the height gives a more elegant visual appeal . The white colorscheme works for both celebrations .

Winter crisp white and green flowers are refreshing in the winter months for wedding flowers. Bridal bouquets of white mini callas, white roses, white tulips and white fragrant stephanotis are handtied into the perfect bouquet with touches of green hypericum(coffee beans) and seeded eucalypus foliage for an accent color. White arrangements for the centerpieces include white hydrangea blooms, tulips,green button mums and seeded eucalypus foliage in clear cinched cylinder vases for low, clean table arrangements. Antique soft green hydrangeas are used for the attendant bouquets with a few wine roses tucked in for an accent color. Choosing the colors for your wedding often help set the style for the wedding flowers.

Chocolate and cookies, the children will be happy to help with this project. First take a styrofoam cone (available at most craft stores) and paint it with melted dipping chocolate that you can find in the baking aisle of the grocery store. It is the kind of chocolate you would use to dip pretzels or fruit.
I then place on wet floral foam in a small punch bowl ,but you can just place on a holiday plate if you do not want to use flowers at the bottom. I use wooded floral 6″ picks to hold the cone to the foam and arrange flowers and Christmas greenery in the bottom. Pin the cookies to the cone with colored toothpicks, using smaller cookies at the top. I often make Chocolate towers with the same technique and an assorted box of chocolates or homemade chocolates. White melted chocolate and pepppermints are also easy and clever. Have fun in the kitchen and happy holiday baking!

Holly, Holly Holly! Nothing screams Christmas like holly and red berries. Simply place varigated holly in a tall clear vase , fill with water and place red flowers in the top of vase for a fabulous and quick party centerpiece. You can add under water battery lights for a cool effect and even food coloring in your favorite holiday color. Varigated holly is available from your local floirst. If you do not want to see the stems use a plastic or lomey dish on top of the vase with floral foam and make your arrangement in the foam and place on top of the holly filled vase.

Collecting Santas has been a passion for Karen (one of my favorite customers)for quite sometime. She not only has exotic Santas, she has classics, playful,colorful, casual and international Santas. She has collected so many……that she now decorates with Santa throughout her house. Mixing Santa with gold cones and velvet cloths on the dining table, placing assortments on the mantles and under the tree. We even added a fairly Santa to the staircase. Collecting can make the Holidays special. Ornaments, jingle bells , trees , wreaths and nutcrackers can all be collectables and something you can look forward to unpacking and remembering every holiday season. Start your collection this year!