Member Spotlight: Wisteria Flowers and Gifts

Family owned and operated, Wisteria Flowers and Gifts on Culver Road was established in Pittsford in 1992 by real estate agent Rita Freling. Initially begun as a therapeutic escape from the real estate business, Wisteria blossomed from a small home venture to a successful enterprise. Following in her mother's footsteps, Jennifer Freling Ralph now serves as vice president and manages the daily operations along with a talented design team. Started with a staff of two, the Wisteria Flowers now has 12 employees, five of whom are highly trained fl oral designers. "Wisteria Flowers handles customers' every fl oral needs from gorgeous fresh flowers to intricate silk arrangements to wreaths to weddings, funerals, anniversaries and custom decorating for the home or offi ce. Wisteria selects only the freshest flowers daily from domestic and international suppliers, insuring an exotic myriad of botanicals," says Freling Ralph.

Wisteria Flowers also carries a unique line of seasonal gifts, lighting, Tuscan pottery, artwork, pillows, serving platters and custom furniture. Many of the unique lamps, tables and home décor that they offer for sale are made by local artists. Wisteria Flowers' 6,000-squarefoot establishment carries the largest selectionof silk flower arrangements, wreaths and silks by the stem in all of Monroe County.

Challenges
"One of the challenges our company is facing is competing against national and large chain stores that have entered the fl oral industry and have begun selling fl owers to their customers. These stores are able to sell fl owers at a lower price because they are able to purchase fl owers in such massive quantities. So, there is additional competition in the market," says Freling Ralph. "But Wisteria Flowers has established a loyal following through quality products and superior customer service which has garnered praise from the Rochester community."

Rochester Business Alliance Member
Wisteria Flowers and Gifts has been a loyal member of the RBA for nine years. "Being a member of the RBA is valuable to Wisteria Flowers because it is important for us to know about current events and stay attuned to Rochester's business community. RBA does a great job of keeping us up to date," says Freling Ralph.

Contact Info:
Jennifer Freling Ralph, vice president
Wisteria Flowers and Gifts, Inc.
360 Culver Road
Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 271-0610
www.wisteriaflowersandgifts.com

By Kevin Donahue, director of membership and business development