New store blooms with sentimental wishes and gift ideas

Scott Csernyik

1/29/2003 12:00:00 AM

Mt. Pleasant new business owner Marion Williams was mesmerized by the beauty of an arrangement consisting of a dozen lavender roses accented by three yellow carnations.

"Don't they smell wonderful?" asked the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal member. In flower folklore, the lavender rose is a symbol of enchantment.

Finding a name for her store, located at 5275 E. Pickard, stemmed from a blooming relationship with someone very important in her life.

Williams chose to call her endeavor "Blossom Boutique" after her aunt, Mary Jane Meteye, whose Ojibwe name means "blossom."

"I first considered �Anishinabe Boutique,'" explained Williams. "Then, after a lot of thought, I decided to name it after my aunt who recently beat cancer. She's a very strong woman and I've always looked up to her. She's my mentor."

The store is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The business also offers a 24-hour delivery service-unique to the Mt. Pleasant area.

"A lot of people work second and third shifts," she said. "Nobody delivers on a 24-hour basis but us. It's important to cater to as many people as possible with the business."

Williams' unparalleled boutique is also able to meet special needs within the Tribal community.

"Other floral services don't know about our sacred herbs," she explained. "Baskets or arrangements can be made with a personal touch, as well as a spiritual one. We can also wire flowers wherever a customer wants, which is beneficial for At-Large members," she stated.

Besides floral arrangements, the Blossom Boutique also has other gift ideas ranging from dream catchers to candles. Some items are made by Tribal members and sold on consignment. Dance sticks and various components for creating regalia may also be purchased at the boutique. Williams added she plans to have Native American traditional wedding ceremonies take place at the store within the next six months.

Owning a flower shop has been a lifelong dream for Williams.

"Dream catchers have always been a part of the various businesses I've owned," she explained. "Our motto is, �To Catch a Dream With Flowers.' I've caught my dream, now it's up to the customer to catch theirs."