By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
Last month, Dugger’s Florist and Gifts got to move into their “cool new digs” just in time for the holiday season. The shop is now located at 705 E. Hobbs Street in Athens, just down from Athens Police Department and across from the Hometown Grocery complex.
The new shop is delightful—spacious, airy, and comfortable. There is a generous amount of available light streaming in from the windows (which the plants absolutely love, and a comfortable table and chairs where you can wait, dream, or both. Melinda told me that she especially enjoys having lots of available parking, along with more display area. Because Dugger’s does a lot of funeral work, Melinda also likes the fact that the parking is easier and less stressful for families that have just suffered loss.
While it might sound unusual, Melinda feels like she is making a difference for families when she does funeral flowers or provides other bereavement gifts. “People are under so much pressure when they have lost someone, and I like to help,” she said. Melinda is committed to helping people find what they want while respecting their budget, and reminds people that funeral flowers are “the last thing you’ll do for them,” (meaning the deceased.)
I first met Melinda in 2010 when Dugger’s was located in Tanner, and we both are in the same BNI (Business Networking International) chapter in Athens known as Limestone Leaders. Neither of us ever had a plan to become entrepreneurs, and it has been a joy to watch her come into her stride. I also am beholden to her for how skillfully she has handled family flower needs from Seattle to New York City. Both my mom’s 99th birthday and my brother-in-law’s passing were just made better all the way around because of Melinda and the Dugger’s Florist team. Additionally, she taught me some things about flower arranging and how to make a quick holiday arrangement using evergreens and holly.
One of the things I appreciate about Melinda is the care she takes to educate her customers so that they can get what they desire for the best possible price. She will tell them why a flower is or isn’t a good choice, and whether or not it is in season. This is certainly important when it comes to weddings. A bride may have her heart set on a certain type of flower, and while it may be pretty, it may not be sturdy enough to handle being part of an arrangement. Melinda will do her best to suggest an alternative.
This excellent level of client care and education has served to give Melinda quite a base of raving fan customers who trust her creativity so much that they basically say, “Just do your thing—I know it will turn out fine.” So, she does, and it does.
Which brings us to Christmas. There is still time to order a beautiful centerpiece for your table, and Melinda will see to it that it is just the right size. She does live wreaths, as well as silk everything, and popular flowers for the season are roses, hydrangeas, and, of course, lots of evergreens and holly. Flowers come from Holland, South America, and California this time of year, and supply is good.
Yesterday would have been the annual Athens Christmas Parade, which has been temporarily postponed due to the possibility of snow. However, when it happens, the parade will go right by the front of the store on Hobbs. Dugger’s will be open late for the parade, and as Melinda said, “It will be a safe friendly place to get warm.”
Melinda is planning on having a grand re-opening celebration sometime in January, but she needs to get through Christmas first. Valentine’s Day will be her next big holiday, and actually likes that holiday the best. The biggest reason is that Valentine’s Day is much less demanding when it comes to floral selection—everybody wants roses, especially red ones–so she is able to order ahead from all over the world to meet the demand. One of the countries that greatly helps people in North Alabama celebrate Valentine’s Day by providing roses is Ecuador.
Other items that are offered by Dugger’s are customized teddy bears, bereavement gifts, and personalized Christmas decorations. And, everything is pulled together by a great crew that has a lot of fun doing what they do. “We go the extra mile to take care of our customers,” said Melinda. Stop by today to enjoy their new location and their great customer service.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
