Town Florist retiring after 3 decades of service
Robbinsville – On Jan. 1, 1991, two young ladies – Reba McCracken and Sheila Phillips – opened the doors to a new flower shop in Robbinsville.
Two young business partners with a little skill, a little more talent and a lot of prayer, started out in the back of a gift shop at Five Point. They worked hard to perfect their craft and soon became a local staple. After several years in business, McCracken left to help her husband run his business; Phillips continued in the flower business.
Eventually, the Town Florist took over the entire gift shop.
Phillips is stepping down after 33 years as a beloved florist, with a new chapter for Town Florist beginning Jan. 1. Her last day will be Sunday.
In an interview with The Graham Star, Phillips looked back over the years fondly and recalls special times – like when she delivered flowers to Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson when they were filming the movie “Nell” in Fontana.
“They received flowers from all over the country,” Phillips recalled. “They were wired in and we would deliver them.”
Even though she enjoyed delivering flowers to Hollywood royalty, she said her favorite memories include the many customers she has served, and friendships she has made while providing flowers for special events, weddings and funerals.
Phillips believes the Lord has blessed her business over the years.
“There was one time I didn’t have a big enough basket for an order I had taken, and I said, ‘Lord, I need a big basket,’” explained Phillips. “Some lady opened the door to the shop and said, ‘I thought you might be able to use these.’ She had two big baskets.
“He was always more than enough. I’ll never forget how He was there for me. I did my best, and He did all the rest.”
She added that she will miss her customers and is thankful for their years of support and loyalty – for without them, there would be no Town Florist.
Phillips has served her county well, by greeting customers with a smile and often traveling to Asheville day and night to find the right flowers to meet a special need someone has ordered.
On Sunday, she will lock the doors to the Town Florist and begin a new path called retirement. She looks forward to traveling with her husband Lowell and her family. She also looks forward to working in her yard and continuing her love for flowers at home.
On Jan. 1, a new florist will open the doors to the Town Florist – and with a little skill, a little more talent, a lot of help from Phillips (for a little while) and a whole lot of help from the Lord, Allison Roberts will begin her journey as the new florist.
Phillips is excited to mentor her along the way and help to get her up and going. A Graham County native, Allison is married to Tommy Roberts of Robbinsville. She is excited to begin her new journey.