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Recently, when Sandy Nielsen took a quick break before the madness of the holidays started, she and her husband, Steve Baumann, picked an island destination with non-stop flights from New York -- St. Lucia. She hadnt taken into account tropical storm Tomas, which would eventually kick it up a notch and become a hurricane. Her hotel took a direct hit and the dipping pools and decks of most rooms were washed down the hillside. Surprisingly, nobody was hurt. The staff was amazing. They herded everyone into the restaurant, which wasnt damaged, boarded up the windows and gave us cooking classes, she said. It was an exciting trip.
Sandys grandparents, Christian and Hilda, immigrants from Denmark and Ireland, who met working at Oxridge Hunt Club, bought a flower shop in Darien and called it Nielsens Florist. When Christian died suddenly, Sandys dad took over. Today the third generation of Nielsens manages the store. My two sisters, Tami and Karen, my brother, Jerry, and I grew up in the business. Every weekend and all the holidays we had to work at the store, she says. The last thing I ever thought was that Id be working here today, she laughs.
Grandparents Christian and Hilda Nielsen wouldnt recognize their shop today. Cut flowers are the meat and potatoes of our business and in the summer we have a thriving garden center, said Sandy. Now weve added a selection of high-end gift items. Permanent displays of Simon Pearce glassware and arrangements of faux flowers by Diane James Home are in the store. Jewelry and seasonal items, such as holiday ornaments, also sell well. Nielsens Florist & Garden Shop provides a wonderful service that can ease some of that holiday stress. They will decorate your home for the holidays, but dont wait too long to call them the clock is ticking.
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