Historic Port City Florist Blossoms Interest From Statewide Audience

WILMINGTON, NC, March 03, 2011 (Press-News.org) Rehder Florist, the oldest operating florist in North Carolina, has landed a feature article in the March 2011 issue of Our State magazine. A lively overview of the company's history, the story also captures the rich details of Rehder's important contributions to past Azalea Festivals and everyday celebrations in the Cape Fear region.

Wishing to preserve this significant piece of local and state history, Julia's Florist acquired Rehder Florist in 2005. The Wilmington staple currently operates out of Julia's, located at the corner of Kerr Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard. In fact, owner Dana Cook said many of Rehder's original clients continue to mark special occasions with the veteran florist's signature creations.

The Our State article centers on Cook's first look at a box of old photographs and newspaper clippings left in the attic of Rehder's Florist. The mish-mash of weathered artifacts chronicles the people and events that made the Port City what it is today.

Contributing writer Amy Hotz enlivens her account of the treasure chest's discovery with stories from Stanley Rehder. Rehder ran the florist shop with his brother and once appeared with Barbara Walters on the "Today" show to talk about carnivorous plants.

Wilmington photographer Millie Holloman illustrates the piece with portraits of Cook and Rehder.

Currently, Cook is considering opening a downtown location called Rehder Florist - a respectful nod to the former owners. "We don't want the Rehder name to die," she says in the Our State article. "We think it's a treasure."