Pot Of Green Florist: Pawcatuck’s Old Fashioned Shop

takes shoppers back to a time when you could find old mom and pop flower shops on corners all over main streets throughout the country. The sweet aroma of fruit trees mingle with the smell of fresh herbs while colorful flowers set the background for the warm and homey Pawcatuck store.

Judy and Steve Mann, Mystic residents and owners of Pot of Green Florist remember visiting the Mystic Art Show years ago and saying to each other ‘let’s open something.’

The Manns have spent most of their lives living and working in the area, but it wasn’t until Steve retired in 1973 that they opened the first version of Pot of Green Florist.

“I was looking for another occupation,” Steve said, Judy adding, “It evolved, moved, always bettering.”

Thirty-eight plus years later, Steve has become a self-taught floral expert, familiar with varieties plants and flowers with his own potting soil and landscaping service. And Judy is another expert, creating flower arrangements for residents, businesses and events.

Together they’ve and the invention of the big chain phone and internet flower stores while establishing a local base of familiar and repeat customers.

“The same kids call every year for Mother’s Day,” Judy said. “Wanting the flowers they know I know the mom likes.”

“Judy does phenomenal designs,” Steve chimes from across the room.

The partnership the husband and wife team share is evident throughout the store, business and they way the two continually promote each other. They share the delivery duties of the store, and all of the flowers are hand-picked by Steve who will make special trips if a customer requests something particular.

From the moment anyone walks in whether the customer is an old friend or a stranger walking in for the first time the Manns greet them as if they know their whole life story and it isn’t long before they do. They send birthday flowers to their customers from them.

“It’s fun to make someone else happy, to walk in with a delivery and see a smile,” Judy said. “I get to be surprised everyday.”

The Manns have seen but are hoping it’s the service and the product that will bring in more customers.

“We have the body of knowledge, the product, service and the good will,” Steve said.