story by Jordan Pupa | photography provided by Mary’s Flowers
If you would have told Patricia Taira years ago that she would end up operating a flower shop, she would have said “no way!” Her career journey has given her experience in retail sales, customer service, and property management, and led her to locations such as Charleston, SC and even San Diego, CA. After being away from Florence for 22 years, she had a strong yearning to come home and has been back in Florence since 1997. On Jan 1, 1999, Patricia and her husband, Steve, purchased Mary’s Flowers & Gifts from her mother and father, making it a second-generation family-owned business.
Formed by Patricia’s parents, JC and Mary (Poston) Stone, Mary’s Flowers & Gifts originally opened in 1976 in the former Nell’s Beauty Shop on South Church Street. Unfortunately, arson consumed the original location around 1987, but the shop later reopened temporarily on South Dargan Street, then relocated to its current location on South Irby Street in 2015. Patricia’s father was diagnosed with kidney cancer, and Patricia’s mother decided to give up the shop in order to take care of him. While Patricia and her husband knew very little about the business, they did all they could to keep the family business successful. Patricia shares, “I remember our first year, Mom asked me to reach in the cooler and bring her some Gypsophila and statice. I looked at Steve, and whispered ‘What? You’ve got to be kidding me. What are Gypsophila and statice? I’ll never be able to remember these varieties.’ It was at that point I realized that we might be in trouble and bit off more than we could handle! We stepped up to the plate, stayed late, grabbed some books and practiced all those names. It took about two weeks, but we slowly got there.” While Patricia’s parents both gained their wings over the years, the Taira’s made changes and improvements over time, including adding event planning and balloon sculptures, to stay relevant to current customer needs. Steve and Patricia celebrate their 20th year in operating Mary’s Flowers & Gifts, LLC this year. However, this year also marks the businesses overall 43rd year of existence serving floral and events for the Florence area.
Today, Patricia owes most of the business’ success to her parents. In fact, to this day, Patricia still gets called “Mary” by many customers. She describes Steve as being her “saving grace” and brags on her small, yet powerful, a team of floral designers, delivery personnel, and store manager. Of course, great customers are what keeps the business alive. “We do appreciate and thank our loyal customers who have supported us throughout our existence,” says Patricia. “It makes such a difference to both small and large companies, when our city, and hometown, supports, and shops locally.”
The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce has also been a great support to Mary’s Flowers & Gifts over the years. The business first became a chamber member in 2000. “The Chamber opportunity has allowed us to present and display some additional talents coming from our flower shop,” explains Patricia. “The exposure has landed us numerous other event and party work throughout the city. We thank the Chamber for the opportunity to work with them on their annual business luncheons.”
Being a Chamber member comes with many benefits. Patricia explains how their membership has increased business visibility within the community and provided networking opportunities where they have met many wonderful business partners. “We are extremely proud to display our membership decal. What creditability that alone brings to our local businesses.” Patricia has also been part of the Chamber’s Ambassador Program since 2017, which she describes as one of the best decisions she could have made. She states, “It is heartwarming to meet other businesses and welcome them into our community and the Chamber of Commerce membership pool.”
In closing, Patricia explains how the Chamber’s mission is clear – Promote and enhance a favorable business climate and improve the quality of life to make Florence the best community in which to live and operate a business. “For this, we should be thankful,” says Patricia. “Thank you, Florence Chamber of Commerce, for your involvement and work, throughout our community.”
Mary’s Flowers & Gifts, LLC
1222 S Irby Street Suite A&B, Florence
www.marysflowersflosc.com | 843-669-5557
Pictured above: Jennifer Gainey, Floral Designer; Patricia Taira, Owner; Donna Stephens, Delivery Personnel; Seated, Paul Ponn- (AIFD), Floral Designer; Melonie Lee, Store Manager; not pictured, Diane Lee, Sales Support; John Vasilakis, Delivery Personnel
Mary’s Flowers & Gifts are the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce’s Member of the Month! For more information on becoming a member of the Chamber, visit flochamber.com.