Business is
‘blooming’ at Elon alumna's new gift
store
Candace
Buckman /
Features Editor
Like the flowers you’ve seen this spring, a new
business has bloomed in the Burlington area. What makes this
store different from others is that it is owned and operated
by a recent Elon graduate.
Laura Creech ‘02 established her gift shop in December
of 2003. Open the doors of the Flower Patch and you will find
your eyes moving from the black-and-white checkered tile
floor to the vibrant colors bursting from flowers placed
throughout the space.
When deciding to start her own business in the community,
Creech knew she wanted to break away from the norm.
“I looked around to see what Burlington didn’t
have,” she said. “That’s why the slogan is
‘A passion for the unusual.’”
Creech keeps her store stocked with various gift baskets,
colorful stationary, eclectic art, original photography
pieces and also offers one-of-a-kind floral arrangements.
Creech is the creator of the arrangements that can be
preordered at The Flower Patch.
Creech also uses part of her shop as a display for local
artists.
“We’ve had a few local artists display their work
here,” Creech said. “So far we’ve had
artists from Hillsboro and Chapel Hill.”
Creech said in putting her store together, she used many of
the skills she obtained while completing her business
marketing degree at Elon.
“I’ve even used contacts from Elon,” she
said. The graphics designer for the store graduated with
Creech in 2002.
The Flower Patch is located just off Huffman Mill Road,
across from Panera Bread and adjacent to the Beverage
Gallery. It is open Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You can also visit the store’s Web site at
www.the-flower-patch.com and view current artists whose work
is displayed at the store and information on services
provided by The Flower Patch.
Elon students who show their Phoenix card will receive a 10
percent discount on their purchases.
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