MONROE, CT — Douglas Sawyer stood behind the counter, while preparing a floral arrangement for a customer inside Eden Florist, a flower shop he and his fiancée, Donna Parrillo, opened at Crescent Village, 115 Main St., Thursday.
Though he had worked at his late father’s store, Eden Plant & Garden Place Inc. in Norwalk, for nearly 10 years, Sawyer is a late bloomer. Rather than following in his father’s footsteps after graduating from Norwalk High School, Sawyer had decided to pursue a computer technology services degree at Gibbs College.
“That’s fine, but you need to learn this,” Sawyer’s father had told him about the flower business. Years later, Sawyer, who still has a tech job, took the plunge.
“I wanted to resurrect my dad’s business,” he said of choosing a similar name. “Flowers and the interaction … it brings people together. It makes people smile. It changes their mood immediately for the better. It’s better than hiding behind a computer,” he added with a smile.
The late Eddie Lee Sawyer ran his Norwalk store for over three decades with part-time help from his wife, Jeanette, who was a school teacher.
Douglas Sawyer said his mother, who now lives in Georgia, is “super proud” that he and Parrillo, his high school sweetheart, opened the Monroe shop, adding his father would be also be proud.
Like Jeanette Sawyer, Parrillo is teacher. She is currently helping out at the Monroe store part-time, while keeping her full-time job at Landmark Preschool in Westport.
“I helped with the decorating of the shop,” Parrillo said. “I love it. It’s been so enjoyable.”
A grand opening
Eden Florist was crowded with town officials, family members and friends for the store’s grand opening Thursday afternoon. Sawyer and Parrillo prepared a table with cheese, fruit, crackers, cookie pops and champagne for their guests.
A raffle was held for a free floral arrangement and for an Eden Florist tote bag along with 10 percent off one’s next purchase. The first 10 customers who make purchases of $50 or more will receive a free green Eden Florist sweatshirt.
Among those participating in the ribbon cutting ceremony were First Selectman Terry Rooney, Economic and Community Development Director William Holsworth, Monroe Chamber of Commerce President Ray Giovanni and Vice President Jan Snyder.
Several Chamber and Monroe Economic Development Commission members were also at the ceremony, including Lee Hossler, who organized the event.
After Rooney cut the ribbon, Sawyer and Parrillo thanked everyone for their support.
“On behalf of the town of Monroe, I’d like to welcome all of you and your business to the town,” Rooney said. “We take a lot of pride in our businesses that invest here. Everybody knows we need a flower shop, so thank you.”
The first selectman said the goal of his administration is to attract businesses the town needs.
“I don’t really like to see our residents leave our town for things they need and this is something that obviously we will use significantly,” Rooney said.
Giovanni said, “as a new member of our Chamber, we really embrace you and we really want to help you grow — no pun intended to do with the flowers. That’s what we’re all about … helping the business community. Thank you for bringing this new business venture to our town, we’ll be so respectful and appreciative of.”
Giovanni encouraged Sawyer and Parrillo to take advantage of the resources the Monroe Chamber of Commerce offers, which will give Eden Florist opportunities to promote its business in town.
Eden Florist, 115 Main St., Suite 8, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sundays. For information, visit its website, Facebook and Instagram pages.
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
