Flower Pot successfully transplanted

After nearly six months of feeling like petals in the wind, the Flower Pot has finally found a new place to set down roots. The purchase of the business from longtime owner Connie McGuire by Louis and Kinee Waits on Dec. 29 was just one factor that set in motion a months-long relocation of businesses. With Koyoty Sports in the former home of the Flower Pot and Strongtower Designs right next door, the only storefront in the Valley has planted itself right next to the Grumpy Italian.

While the businesses has new owners, a familiar face will still be there to greet customers as they walk into the Flower Pot's new home at 115 W. Bridge Ave. Kathi Wallace, who worked for McGuire before the sale of the business, is also the mother of Kinee Waits and will be continuing to manage the floral store for her daughter.

With new owners and a new location, it can be expected that new changes will come to a business that has served the Valley for well over 30 years.

"We've got a lot of different merchandise and lot of plans of things that we're going to put into motion," said Wallace.

For Louis and Kinee Waits, however, they are placing a lot of importance on the suggestions of Valley residents.

"We're hoping that we can get the community to maybe give us some input on things that they'd like to see in Saratoga and we're going to try and bring in some of that stuff if its financially affordable," said Louis Waits.

A comment box currently sits on the checkout counter for just that purpose.

"We don't want to conflict with other businesses here on what we bring in," said Kinee Waits.

"That's a big thing for us. We want to make sure we don't compete with anybody else because everybody's trying to make a living and, whatever we do, we want to make sure that we don't affect anybody else's business," said Louis Waits.

One idea that Wallace will be bringing into the new location, however, is sewing items such as thread, buttons and zippers. Beyond that, however, things are still up in the air until suggestions begin to come in.

"We really don't know what we're going to do yet. It's going to be a little bit here and a little bit there," said Louis Waits.

While Louis, Kinee and Kathi wait on community input for the new Flower Pot, they can't help but reflect on the community support they've received over the last several months. Following the sale of the business, it moved across the street from Bridge Street Bargains for a short period of time. Then, in March, the Flower Pot approached the Saratoga Planning Commission about operating out of Wallace's garage.

With no objection from her neighbors, the Flower Pot was granted a variance allowing the garage to serve as a temporary base of operations for the business. The day they moved in, the building at 115 W. Bridge Ave. became available. Before that, however, calls were coming in on a daily basis from the community about possible locations.

"Before this came available, we had people calling us just about daily asking if we knew if this place was available or not. Just trying to help us," said Louis Waits.

"We got stuff on Facebook and phone calls and people 'What about this building? What about that one,'" Kinee Waits said.

"I had six calls in one day of people trying to help us find a building. The outpouring has been terrific, the people have been terrific," said Wallace.

When the new location did become available, owners Joe and Kathy Parrie and Alice Swanson waived rent for the Flower Pot during the three week process it took to get the building ready for the floral business. Additionally, McGuire hasn't gone far. Along with helping out during Valentine's Day and prom, she will be helping fulfill Mother's Day.

Replanting is often an arduous task and can even be frustrating at times, but if done with enough support it can be successful as has been proven by the successful relocation of the Flower Pot.