In 1971 Juanita Abercrombie and Ruth Stuart started a florist business in Dundee, Florida, with a small amount of capital and a wooden meat cooler. They were committed to offer the community a floral business of quality with personalized service and “specials” so there would be something that everyone could afford.

Today that business has grown to two locations and is now owned and operated by second generation Greg Abercrombie and his wife Mindy. Abercrombie’s Flower Market is located at 1604 Dundee Rd. in Winter Haven. Abercrombie’s Downtown Florist, Inc. is located at 200 First St. South in Winter Haven.

A floral business is a full time commitment with round-the-clock hours on holidays, so the whole family became involved in the operations of the florist shop. Greg remembers sitting on the floor at age 6, cutting chicken wire for funeral baskets. The funeral basket procedure has changed now, so chicken wire is passé, but at that time it was a necessary function. Greg and his sister Terri worked in the business as teenagers. His brother Mike helped with deliveries. Duties included washing out buckets, cutting flowers, and waiting on customers. The business itself has been an innovation. It has grown from a ledger accounting system on index cards to a full computer point of sale system.

At times it was hard on Greg to give up family fun holiday times, as holidays are the busiest times for a florist. But as he matured he grew to love the business and came to the realization that they were providing a necessary service to the community. He had worked the business as a professional full time since 1989. Greg became serious about ownership in 2000. In January 2005 Greg and Mindy purchased Irene’s Plant Design in Winter Haven. Juanita Abercrombie sold Greg the family business in Dundee in May of 2005. In November, 2006 Greg and Mindy purchased McCarthy’s Florist and established their Downtown location at 200 First St. South. Greg operates the Dundee location while Mindy is the proprietor at the Downtown location. A third generation of Abercrombie’s is learning the business, while helping as their father did. This is the oldest family owned florist in this area that has been “family owned” since its inception. “We’re doing second generation weddings. People come in and tell us I did business with your mom years ago,” says Greg.

You will find a vast selection of arrangements both fresh and silk at Abercrombie’s. There are gift items such as teddy bears in a variety of styles, greeting cards from Leanin’ Tree, inspirational display plaques, a choice of wreaths in many styles, and balloons. Abercrombie’s in Dundee has two rooms devoted to seasonal displays. Soon the Christmas items will be replaced by a Spring and Summer décor with wreaths and items to decorate the home. Fall will bring in the pumpkins and colored leaves. Floral design classes are also offered in the Fall. Weekly specials are available like loose unwrapped flowers are half price on Fridays. Floral coolers have been positioned so the customer can easily see the variety of flower arrangements available.

Flowers are provided for funerals, weddings, proms, events and parties. They have flowers for all occasions. Delivery service is available. Abercrombie’s is a member of Teleflora wire services and the Dundee location has been in the top 1000 of 22,000 florist shops in sending flowers by Teleflora wire since 2001. Here one can find “Extraordinary flowers for ordinary occasions. This is the same family, same quality, new generation and still the finest in floral design.” Abercrombie’s Flower Market, Inc. can be reached at (863) 293-1752.

Abercrombie’s Downtown Florist, Inc. can be reached at (863) 299- 8051. You can shop on line at www.abercrombiesflowermarket.com