Girl power can come in many forms – but even as women push back against being twinned with all things pink and flowery, it’s flowers that have become Cindy Savage’s way of showing her daughters that girls can do anything they put their minds to.
Savage is the new owner of Panda Flowers, the downtown flower shop that’s been a fixture in the community for decades. Owner Diane Andrews sold the business to her at the start of the month, and Savage officially took over as proprietor on Oct. 3.
“I always dive in,” Savage said of the new experience. “I wanted to show my girls they can do anything – if you can dream it, you can do it.”
Savage has business experience working with husband Scott, who owns Savage Drugs, but hasn’t ever been in the flower business. In fact, it took her more than a year just to decide if she wanted to go through with buying the business.
“The first week was definitely overwhelming,” Savage admitted with a chuckle. “But with any new adventure, you expect to be overwhelmed. I was ready for it.”
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Andrews hasn’t hung up her pruning shears either, and is remaining as an employee of the business for now, showing Savage the ropes and helping her navigate the tricky florists’ world. There’s a lot more that goes into selling flowers than simply having flowers in the shop, as Hurricane Matthew has already taught her.
Thanks to the hurricane, flowers are in short supply. Suppliers aren’t able to truck their colourful products north until it’s safer, and several flower farms have been damaged in the hurricane.
Still, Savage is excited at what the business means for the days ahead.
“I’m happy to take the torch and run with it,” she said. “With Diane’s assistance, and the staff’s help, I think we’ll be OK.”
One thing Savage did want to do is reassure everyone that Panda Flowers will be staying at its location downtown, where the quaint little shop is sandwiched between the newspaper and radio station offices.
“It’s so easy to be creative in this space,” she said of the shop. “It’s a great location.”
With hopes that the venture will not only turn into her dream, but that of her daughters Jozee, 8, and Cassie, 10.
“I can’t wait till they can work with me here,” Savage said.