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NEWS Newsletter Newsletter Plants for Pleasure Wins Decorating Contest
| Plants for Pleasure Wins Decorating Contest |
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Display Welcomes Visitors To Both The Town And The Village Within The Shop (12/14/10) The Shelburne Falls Area Business Association held a storefront decorating contest for Moonlight Magic, and the three unaffiliated judges selected the florist shop Plants for Pleasure as the winner. Anna Armstrong, whose parents Carolyn and Michael own and operate the shop, spent about an entire day total setting up the Christmas village in the window. Anna works part-time for her parents, and the storefront decorations are usually her work. For Moonlight Magic, the display presented a particular challenge, since it followed immediately after the Thanksgiving display. Anna used the Christmas village and decoration collection of Carolyn’s mother in addition to lights and other ornaments, with the card “Welcome to the Village of Shelburne Falls” inviting visitors to both the town and the village within the shop. Because of all the effort she invested in the project, Anna was happy with it regardless of the results of the contest. Still, the victory thrilled her, so she is already thinking of next year. She is considering adding a train or trolley next time, as well as other surprises. Customers and passers-by often comment on Anna’s storefront decorations, which bring pleasure through both living and nonliving displays. The decorations thereby help the shop live up to its name. Carolyn and Michael started Plants for Pleasure in 1984, and the store has since become the floral center of West County. They sold the store at one point due to the demands of new children and new property, but they bought it back ten years ago when their children were old enough for them to have the time. Carolyn first became part of the Shelburne Falls community when she moved here at the age of five. Back then, the town was not as vibrant an arts center as it is today, but the establishment of Plants for Pleasure in addition to art galleries and other shops brought renewed life to the community. Carolyn and Michael began with their desire to start a plant store because of their love for houseplants. When they set up shop in Shelburne Falls, they expanded to fresh-cut flowers due to the popular demand for a florist in West County. Carolyn therefore went to floral design school in Florida and brought her newfound skills back home. Carolyn’s favorite part of doing business in Shelburne Falls is being a part of a close-knit village. She has heard that she could get more business in a larger town or city, but she loves serving the people of West County. The Christmas village in the window therefore represents the whole community, bringing joy to the people who have brought joy to the Armstrong family business. Plants for Pleasure
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