Beverly's Flowers Celebrates 40th

SHAMOKIN - In 1971, Beverly Katalenas opened a flower shop calledBeverly's Flowers at 10 East Independence St. At that time, acarnation sold for 25 cents.

As a novice entrepreneur, she did it all: took orders, waited oncustomers, designed flower bouquets and delivered them. She did allof this while working in a very small store with just a reach incooler.

40 years later, she is located across the street at 9 EastIndependence St. The shop contains three walk in coolers, a largedesign area and two large rooms to display merchandise. Beverlytypically has four people on staff: a clerk cashier, two designersand a delivery person. During the holidays, the staff doubles.Shamokin and the surrounding area have made Beverly's a successfuland thriving business.

From 1988 to 2000, Beverly was a member of the Florists'Telegraph Delivery (FTD) wire service. At the time, there was aspecific criteria that a flower shop had to meet to become a memberof FTD: size of the shop, refrigeration requirements and regularinspections by an official of FTD. Beverly served as DistrictChairman of FTD 3C in Pennsylvania. Beverly and her husband, Bob,attended FTD conventions in Hawaii, Florida and Arizona, to name afew.

"This was a great way to network with other florists, learn thelatest designs and colors, and see new exciting products availableto the industry," Beverly Katalenas said.

Since 1991, Beverly has been a member of the Teleflora wireservice. Teleflora has designed and updated the shop's website,www.beverlysflowershop.net, with the latest seasonal designs. Youcan now order flowers through the site, phone and fax. Telefloraoffers specials containers and arrangements for each holiday, whichcan be sent anywhere in the world.

"I have been receiving orders from Iraq and Afghanistan on aregular basis over the internet," Katalenas said.

Beverly has supported the community that has supported her. In1990, she became a member of the Shamokin-Coal Township Chamber ofCommerce (now known as the Brush Valley Regional Chamber ofCommerce). For many years, the board organized the Heritage Dayparade for the Shamokin Small Business Association. She served onthe Board of Directors, including two years as president, and wasnamed Brush Valley's Business of the Month in 2002. The AmericanCancer Society named her volunteer of the year for 1999-2000. Herfamous "Rose Sale" raised money for the Brady Fire Company aftertheir devastating fire, Fairview Fire Company's purchase of a newfire truck, and Shamokin Area Community Hospital.

Since 1997, Beverly has been a national member of the Society ofAmerican Florist.

Currently, she serves on the Board of Northumberland CountyCouncil for the Arts and Humanities and is very active with theAmerican Cancer Society.

Her husband has been involved for all 40 years. He has designedunique arrangements, supplied blooming plants from various growersand grows unusual flowers. Their daughter, Susan, has grown up inthe business and attended many design schools and learned the everyday operation of the business. Susan's three children, Jody,Stephanie and Michael, have pitched in over they yeas in one way oranther. An adopted family member, you might say, is Dawn Morgan whojoined the staff in 2000. She started as a delivery person andclerk, and is now a creative designer.

"It has been a great family experience over the years," Katalenassaid. "We wish to thank all of our faithful customers for oursuccess through the years. It is a pleasure to serve you and satisfyyour unique floral needs."