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Ivys Flower Station
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11:02 AM
By Carol Brusha
On Valentine’s Day, twenty three years ago, newly-married Marianne Atkinson was patiently waiting for her husband to arrive home so they could go out for a romantic evening. However, Richard Atkinson felt it was important, and perhaps prudent, to buy his new wife some flowers and from this small gesture of love began an idea. He ended up in an exceptionally long line that was out the door at the florist’s and so was late getting home. It was a frustrating experience for him, as well as for Marianne.
A Vision of Drive-Through Flowers
“I had a vision of husbands and boyfriends waiting in line on this special day. I wondered if there wasn’t a better way to get them home faster and the idea hit me of a drive-through flower shop,” said Marianne.
This seed of an idea finally bloomed when Marianne opened Ivy’s Flower Station last April in the former gas station at the corner of Kenneth Road and Sonora. Rumor has it that this may be the first drive-through florist shop in the nation.
However, since finding the right place and location takes time, Richard and Marianne, who has always loved flowers and flower arrangements, began raising a family of three daughters, Lillie, now 18, Ivy, 8, and Daisy, 5. (Yes, the new store is named after their middle child.)
Marianne also had a twenty year career as an advertising photographer, which allowed her to do set-ups with flowers. Then for the past five years, she had a home-based flower business that flourished by word of mouth. Many of her customers were from Disney studios.
Serendipitous Location
Finding the Kenneth Road location was serendipitous. She was reading the Glendale News Press the day a story appeared about Tony, owner of Tony’s Automotive at Kenneth and Grandview, retiring and went to see if his station would be available for her flower shop. It had already been taken over by a new owner but, as luck would have it, she read the newspaper’s classified ads and found that her current location, a vintage 1923 Mobil Oil service station, was available. She could not believe her good luck.
Open 10 am to 7 pm
Ivy’s is open seven days from 10 am to 7 pm. Custom designed flower arrangements range from traditional to Marianne’s unique, signature arrangements, depending on her clients desires, and they are delivered free in the area. She is connected with FTD.
But, there’s more than flowers. Items suitable for the home and gifts are also available.
Project Blossom
Marianne has established Project Blossom to help her customers’ favorite charities and organizations “blossom and grow” by donating ten percent of their orders back to their designated groups. Current beneficiaries include the Alex Theatre, Stepping Stone Players and the Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra, to name a few. Clients can add names.
Flower Arranging Classes
She also teaches flower arranging classes. There is a material fee and reservations are needed. Call 818-500-7599 for more information.
Marianne was born in Glendale, grew up in Burbank and now lives in Chevy Chase Canyon.
On Valentine’s Day, twenty three years ago, newly-married Marianne Atkinson was patiently waiting for her husband to arrive home so they could go out for a romantic evening. However, Richard Atkinson felt it was important, and perhaps prudent, to buy his new wife some flowers and from this small gesture of love began an idea. He ended up in an exceptionally long line that was out the door at the florist’s and so was late getting home. It was a frustrating experience for him, as well as for Marianne.
A Vision of Drive-Through Flowers
“I had a vision of husbands and boyfriends waiting in line on this special day. I wondered if there wasn’t a better way to get them home faster and the idea hit me of a drive-through flower shop,” said Marianne.
This seed of an idea finally bloomed when Marianne opened Ivy’s Flower Station last April in the former gas station at the corner of Kenneth Road and Sonora. Rumor has it that this may be the first drive-through florist shop in the nation.
However, since finding the right place and location takes time, Richard and Marianne, who has always loved flowers and flower arrangements, began raising a family of three daughters, Lillie, now 18, Ivy, 8, and Daisy, 5. (Yes, the new store is named after their middle child.)
Marianne also had a twenty year career as an advertising photographer, which allowed her to do set-ups with flowers. Then for the past five years, she had a home-based flower business that flourished by word of mouth. Many of her customers were from Disney studios.
Serendipitous Location
Finding the Kenneth Road location was serendipitous. She was reading the Glendale News Press the day a story appeared about Tony, owner of Tony’s Automotive at Kenneth and Grandview, retiring and went to see if his station would be available for her flower shop. It had already been taken over by a new owner but, as luck would have it, she read the newspaper’s classified ads and found that her current location, a vintage 1923 Mobil Oil service station, was available. She could not believe her good luck.
Open 10 am to 7 pm
Ivy’s is open seven days from 10 am to 7 pm. Custom designed flower arrangements range from traditional to Marianne’s unique, signature arrangements, depending on her clients desires, and they are delivered free in the area. She is connected with FTD.
But, there’s more than flowers. Items suitable for the home and gifts are also available.
Project Blossom
Marianne has established Project Blossom to help her customers’ favorite charities and organizations “blossom and grow” by donating ten percent of their orders back to their designated groups. Current beneficiaries include the Alex Theatre, Stepping Stone Players and the Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra, to name a few. Clients can add names.
Flower Arranging Classes
She also teaches flower arranging classes. There is a material fee and reservations are needed. Call 818-500-7599 for more information.
Marianne was born in Glendale, grew up in Burbank and now lives in Chevy Chase Canyon.
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