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Florist Shop Blooms in Downtown Mars Hill
by Lindsay Madej
Color on College Street
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Sprays of color fill a tiny room. Flowers flow out of vases and pots. It looks like spring exploded indoors. A voice comes strong and bold from behind the counter, "What can I help you with?" The thick accent belongs to a woman with a tiny frame - the flower lady. Lisa Brown, native to Germany, is the owner of the Mars Hill Florist.
Brown talks openly about her heritage, which she says has been important to her and her career. "I was born and lived in a little town in Germany much like Mars Hill."
She got started in floral arranging because of her desire to become an Interior Designer, "but in Germany, there isn't much of a market." Floral designs just seem to have fallen into her lap. Brown went to school and got a Master's Degree in floral design. "Everyone in Germany has to have a trade. Students would go to class for half a day and work, like an internship in that field, for the other half of the day."
She married a GI in Germany in 1969 and moved to Chicago, where she lived for ten years. "When my husband decided to relocate, he got a job offer in the Asheville area. That's how we ended up in North Carolina." While in Asheville she worked and managed a small florist shop.
Then she heard through the grapevine that the Mars Hill Florist was on the market. "I loved it here. It has that little town atmosphere where everyone knows each other and are there for you," she said. So that's how Brown came to be the florist here in Mars Hill.
"I also love the college town. It's walking distance from campus." Brown says she respects the college and its students. "We rent from Mars Hill College; we cater to them when flowers are needed for certain functions. We are always there to help in any way."
She says she and her husband are fond of the students' company as well. "Not only do they bring a lot of business, they give us diversity and different nationalities; we like that!"
Business in Mars Hill has been good for them. "I don't have to do any sort of advertising, it's all word of mouth."
To do business she meets with her customers first. "I'd like to get to know them and get their feel before I even think of an arrangement for them. That's the biggest thing, forming relationships with my customers." Those relationships seem to work, as Brown has many regular customers. "I've never had anyone leave unhappy."
Brown specializes in weddings. "They're my favorite things to do." She enjoys a more European style in her designs, which are influenced by her background. "It's a beautiful design, open and flowing, its perfect for weddings."
When asked about other influences she quickly responds, "I want to do it all myself. Originality is key." She hates to copy a picture. Everything must be personal and be right for the customer, "Personalized flowers are like a pair of jeans - they have to fit."
So with her customer always in mind she continues to decorate Mars Hill with her flower arrangements. "I love what I am doing. I started when I was eighteen, and now I'm fifty-three. I have to love it if I have been in it for this long."
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