While the rose is often seen as a symbol of love - according to local florist Sue Cramp – the meaning is in the eye of the beholder.

Sue has just opened Floret Florist – a new florist shop on Woodlark Street, next to Instyle Sleepcentre.

With roses being her favourite flower, there are plenty of roses to be seen in the colourful display of flowers, lights and hand-made giftwares inside the shop.

Love of flowers

Sue said she has always loved flowers and has been in the flower business for over three decades.

She has already owned a number of florists in the Lismore CBD – including Sue Designs, Elite Florist and Village Originals.

Sue said her new shop represents her love of beauty, flowers and creativity.

“It’s me in a shop,” Sue said. “It’s a lovely bright shop and having it is like coming home for me,” Sue said.

“For years I worked next door at Instyle, so when this building came up for sale I bought it – and I love being on this sunny side of the street.

"I think it's so important to bring the foot traffic back into the CBD and have shops that people can come into - not just office spaces.

"It's great that the antiques and collectibles shop is just over the road too."

Weddings, events and flowers

Sue said that rather than focussing on preparing lots of fresh flowers to sell each day in the shop, her core business is preparing online flower orders for weddings and events.

“I do have some fresh flowers for sale at the front, on the doorstep to sell, but I’ve mostly been doing online orders for weddings across Australia,” she said.

“I was working from home, but now that we have this building, it’s a place for the family to work in, including my mum.

Artificial flowers

“Predominantly, I’m working with artificial flowers for weddings and events.

“Nowadays, artificial flowers are so good – they last for a long time.

“I’ve heard stories about pesticides like Roundup being used on fresh flowers, with warnings not to smell the flowers.

“You can’t beat a fresh flower, but who knows what will happen in the future.”

Making things

Using her creativity and talent for sewing and making things, Sue has also been making giftwares and clothing to sell – and has hand-made, designer dog collars for sale in the shop

“My children were into dance, so I also have some dance costume items for sale,” she said.

“Since my first grandchild came along, I started to make dresses and baby headbands – things I couldn’t find in other places.”

Floret Florist will be open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday 9 to 12pm.

To find out more about Sue’s online flower business, visit Forever Yours Bouquets http://www.foreveryoursbouquets.com.au