FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ivy’s Flower Station Is L.A.’s Only Drive-Through Flower Shop
GLENDALE, CA – Aug 10, 2009 – “Surely one of our California car culture’s most enduring contributions to the progress of civilization is the drive-through” says Marianne Atkinson, owner of Ivy’s Flower Station in Glendale – with just a hint of a smile on her face. Atkinson has opened L.A.’s only drive-through flowershop at 1435 Kenneth Road, near the corner of Grandview Avenue – a site that has been a working gasoline station since 1923, when the car culture was young. It wasn’t exactly a new idea – Atkinson thought up the concept nearly two decades ago when her new husband showed up late with flowers for Valentine’s Day. But she never found the right site – until earlier this year. Says Atkinson: “We’re always in a hurry in the Valley. I can still find a few of those ancient drive-through milk-and-grocery stops still here, still in operation along the side streets of the San Fernando Valley where you can pick-up your necessaries without getting out from behind the wheel. And those of us who love the Valley lifestyle simply couldn’t get by without our In-N-Out burger stands, drive-through pharmacies, drive-through dry cleaners, even our drive-through Starbucks.” Adds Atkinson, who has made flowers her life: “It didn’t take a great leap of genius to make sure that my new shop – Ivy’s Flower Station – should be drive-in too. We’re proud of the site’s Valley heritage so we’ve integrated some of the original Mobil Oil advertising banners into the décor of the main building. But I think our simple, stylish flower station is a lot better for the environment than one more gasoline station.”
As easily as picking up a hamburger, fries and large orange soda, you can now grab a bouquet of flowers to woo your sweetheart, apologize to your wife, or just brighten your day. Don’t be deceived by the flowershop’s gas-station heritage; Atkinson is a sophisticated and much respected floral designer whose simple, elegant arrangements would fit right into a shop window on Rodeo Drive across the pass in Beverly Hills. Her designs are a particular favorite of studio executives and some of the Valley’s most recognizable TV and film stars that use her arrangements at home, on the lot, and at studio premieres.
Ivy’s Flower Station is also a mainstay for many of the Valley’s churches and charities. If their orders inspire additional customers from among members, Atkinson promises under her “Project Blossom” program to donate 10 percent of all pre-tax money back to the non-profit. Among those organizations already participating are the Alex Theater, the Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra, and several local churches. Atkinson maintains a very elegant website that is seasonally updated – Halloween is the current motif – and displays year-round some of her most popular classics. The website has let the rest of the world in on her work – and she has received orders from as far away as Bermuda and Manhattan. Says Atkinson: “We are still a small shop on a street in Glendale, but the web is exposing the quality and creativity of our designs to a much bigger world.” Atkinson will also be teaching Wednesday night classes at the Flower Station in floral design, beginning later this month, that will mix the basics on cut and presentation with more advanced concepts of color theory, texture, line and form.
The idea for the shop came to Atkinson more than two decades ago: “My husband I and were to celebrate our first Valentines Day together, and he showed very late – and it was very nearly our last Valentine’s Day! When I asked him what happened, he told me about the long line of husbands and boyfriends that wound out the door and around the block at the local flower shop. I kept the husband and also the conviction that there had to be another way of helping these poor guys out.” Said Atkinson: “I tried to think of a way to get people in and out faster and easier, like a drive-through restaurant or a gas station; and that’s when it clicked.” Over the course of two decades, Marianne tried in vain to find the perfect location, but circumstance and timing were never on her side. All of that changed six months ago when she finally secured a filling station that was going out of business. Ivy’s clients include everyone from those hurried husbands she originally set out to help, to stay-at-home moms who can pull up in their mini-van, kids in tow, and not leave their vehicle. Hot day in the valley? Don’t want to leave your air conditioned car, even for a minute? No problem; Marianne and her staff will bring their selection out to you while the motor’s running. As for how she came up with the name “Ivy’s”? Well, flora runs in the family. “I’ve got three daughters, Lily, Ivy and Daisy. The day I was deciding on the name for the shop, my oldest, Lily, was being a real pain so I went down to the second girl. It could just as easily have been ‘Lily’s Flower Station’ if she’d have played her cards right.”
CONTACT
Marianne Atkinson
1435 W. Kenneth Road
Glendale CA 91201
818-500-7599
http://www.ivysflowerstation.com/
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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.
Floral Design I
Earn a certificate in floral arranging.
Turn garden blooms into exquisite looking
arrangements for all occasions. Learn the
fundamental forms and styles of flower arranging
to create beautiful designs based on the principles
of color and balance. There will be demonstrations
and plenty of time for you to practice in this hands-on
class. Certificate is given upon completion of the
class. The class will be taught by Marianne Atkinson,
Floral Design II
For Weddings & Special Occasions
Flowers for a wedding can be a major expense.
Learn how to save hundreds of dollars by creating
your own beautiful arrangements and bouquets,
including: preparation, stemming and wiring
techniques; construction of bouquets for the bride
and bridal party; all arrangements for the church
or chapel, including reception area and more.
Certificate given upon completing the class. An
$80 materials fee (cash) is payable to the instructor
in first class meeting. The class will be taught by
DEBBIE AND MICHAEL'S WEDDING
"I love this florist!! Marianne was a dream to work with. The shop itself is in an old gas station, and is just down the street from the Brand Library (my wedding location). Because I was a DIY bride on a budget, I didn't want to go overboard with the flowers. Nor did want them to, uhh, suck. Marianne told me I could save money by going to the LA Flowermart & making my own bridesmaid bouquets, yet save myself the hassle & horror of building the big Bridal Bouquet (the one that actually matters!) by paying HER to do it. Remember, this is my FLORIST telling me this! Made perfect sense to me. She does private bouquet making seminars for a minuscule fee--something UNHEARD of in the wedding business. I had no flower arranging experience whatsoever, but with Marianne's help, they looked really good, if i do say so myself. Even though I didn't really need that much floral arrangement (the bouquets & garlands were all i needed. i got the boutonieres on etsy.com) this florist not only met my needs, but taught me some valuable skills. Also helps that she's such a friendly lady!! I highly recommend this place, esp. if you're a DIY no nonsense bride like myself.
Love in Bloom: Ivy's Flower Station
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Kathy Kottaras Thursday, February 12, 2009