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Enchanted Florist tackles unique & challenging arrangement requests
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From left, Cheryl Airrington, Nolan Abshire and owner Joyce Field of An Enchanted Florist opened earlier this year at 1245 E. Louise Ave., Manteca. - photo by VINCE REMBULAT

If there’s a will, there’s certainly a way.

Not too long ago, Cheryl Airrington of An Enchanted Florist gladly took on the challenge of assembling a Harley-Davidson arrangement.

A long-time floral designer, she recalled that a wife made such a request on behalf of her husband, a motorcycle enthusiast, who was being recognized for his years of service.

 Arrington studied horticulture and floriculture and has been involved in the business since 1982. She and Nolan Abshire are both floral designers at An Enchanted Florist.

Owner Joyce Field opened the business located in a Manteca strip mall east of Highway 99 at Cottage and Louise avenues shortly before Valentine’s Day.

She’s especially grateful for Airrington and Abshire, who has handled all aspects of the floral business during his over 30 years of experience.

“They both bring in a wealth of experience,” Field said on Tuesday.

The floral business is a paradigm shift for her, she said. Field previously worked in the defense industry.

“We chose to open in Manteca since we live here,” she said. “We’re a home-grown business.”

Getting back to the motorcycle arrangement, Airrington found bits and pieces at Home Depot, using foam pipe insulation and aluminum tape on a Styrofoam pattern.  Couple that with 500 heads of flowers – in this case, carnations and chrysanthemum – and her 3½ foot Harley-Davidson motorcycle floral arrangement was complete.

“A lot of it had to do with engineering,” said Airrington.

She once did an arrangement of a roster, using mums and mini carnations to provide natural colors for the 2½ foot fowl figure.

“We pride ourselves on custom arrangements,” Field said. “That’s why it’s important to know your clients – their likes and dislikes.”

In the short time of operation, An Enchanted Florist boasts about a 45 percent return rate in customers.

Inside the business at 1245 E. Louise Ave. is still a work in progress. The décor features woodland deity figures, faux evergreens, and an assortment of floral arrangements.

The flower choices include lily, rose, poinsettia, daisy, aster, orchid, holly, daffodil, Queen Anne’s lace, violet, heleconia, solidago, kangaroo paw, and calendula, to name a few.

“We choose only the freshest, highest quality flowers and our shop has a professional and caring staff to serve all floral needs,” according to the website, www.enchantedfloristville.net.

In addition, An Enchanted Florist has played an active role in the community since its inception, partnering with schools, non-profit groups, and service organizations.

Airrington is involved in the Lathrop Sunrise Rotary Club. She donated floral baskets for the drawing at Saturday’s Jailhouse scramble tournament at Manteca Park Golf Course hosted by her Rotarians and the San Joaquin County Correctional Officers Association.

An Enchanted Florist is also involved with Second Harvest Food Bank’s Chili Pot Cook-off on Aug. 11 benefiting the needy and hungry in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. During the month of August, the local florists will accept canned goods to help the food bank.

“We’re here to do business but we’re also part of the community,” Field said.

An Enchanted Florist – open Mondays through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – is planning an open house in the fall as a kick off to the season. Stay tuned.

For more information, call 209-647-4348.