Coloring their world

"Learn to give flowers when they are living." — Joel Osteen

That sentiment might have significant meaning to Kim Yoder-Mobley and Brittanie Nelson of Allen's Florist. Some days they are arranging and delivering more flowers to a funeral in memory of a death than to a hospital in celebration of a birth.

"It's ok," Nelson said. "We are usually the only light in all the sadness."

Nelson is still in the honeymoon stage of owning a historically grounded flower shop in the heart of downtown Brooksville, in the little strip on the corner of Jefferson and Bailey Streets. She has been on this journey for less than a month, when she and her mother, Sergeant Patricia Sauls of the Hernando County Sheriff's Department, purchased the longstanding business.

Mobley, on the other hand, has seen just about everything. More than 24 years as a floral designer, Mobley has clipped more stems, tied more ribbon and created more beautiful arrangements in an industry she loves. A majority of that time was spent affiliated with Allen's.

The Christmas rush is in full swing, as seen in the quaint downtown shop. It is festively decorated with poinsettias, Christmas plaid baskets, and beautiful FTD arrangements. Teddy bears and other novelties are displayed throughout the front and Christmas music plays gently in the background.

Nelson is busy learning the technique, guided by the experience of Mobley, whose presence has been as much a part of Allen's as their original sign displayed on the west side of the building.

A self-taught designer with a unique flair for creativity, Mobley began her career making deliveries. But she took to design almost immediately, learning by observing and doing. Except for a short period away, Mobley has been a regular behind the counter of a business she has helped build to its present stature.

The company's longevity, Mobley said, is due largely to the community bond Allen's has nurtured through old- fashioned customer service. Many residents have been doing business with Allen's for decades, remaining loyal even during transitional phases when the company has changed hands.

"They are reliable, friendly and efficient," said Ken Harechmak, a long-time Brooksville resident and business man on Liberty Street. Harechmak has ordered from Allen's for years. "They have the best service I've received, in and out of state. And their deliveries are always on time with fresh, beautiful flowers."

Mobley has been on the giving end of that quality service for a good portion of the shop's life.

"It was started by a woman named Erma Allen," Mobley explained, in its original building at 3 North Bailey Ave., in 1957. The original signage is displayed on the new building, just across the street.

Allen sold the business to Fay Rosser who ran it for 40 years under the original name. Rosser hired Mobley. "I was doing deliveries and designs for her twenty-eight years ago," Mobley explained.

Mobley's sister and brother-in-law, Angela and Scott Bierwiler, began the process of purchasing the business in 2009. But an unfortunate accident that took Scott Bierwiler's life delayed the final paperwork.

It was a tragic day in February of 2009 when Sheriff's Captain Scott Bierwiler was fatally hit on Powell Road while driving to begin his shift. Angela Bierwiler postponed the purchase to grieve her husband's death, Mobley explained. The transaction was finalized in January 2010.

The Bierwilers are Brittanie Nelson's Godparents.

Both Mobley and Nelson gazed toward the southwest corner of the shop where a memorial is on display to honor Scott Bierwiler. Their eyes moistened as they shared special memories of their friend and a community's hero.

Bierwiler, Mobley said, had just completed the FBI Academy six months prior to his death. "He would have been our next Sheriff," she said.

Angela Beirwiler ran the business, with Mobley by her side, and added to a foundation already cemented. The legacy continued, even after Bierwiler decided to sell, with yet another smooth transition.

Allen's Florist is a full service shop that caters to walk-in, phone, and internet traffic. They are an FTD Florist and took part in the FTD Master Design Program, which guarantees quality and design based on FTD specifications.

They specialize in beautiful arrangements for any occasion, and any budget, custom or pre-designed, and gifts, novelties and carry-out items.

The new storefront is modern, quaint and trendy. The entry is eye pleasing and full of old-town charm. And the atmosphere inside the store is comfortable, where creativity and passion intermingle.

Allen's Florist is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.