Friends' Merchant Series - Bill O'Shea's Florist

Editor's note: As part of their fundraising efforts for this year, the Friends of
the Hasbrouck Heights Library is asking area businesses to offer
discounts to library supporters who join their Friends Merchants
program. Friends' Justin Watrel has prepared profiles of
participating businesses, which Patch has agreed to publish one to two times per month throughout the year. Patch plays no role in selecting the
businesses or writing the profiles.

Being a huge supporter of town organizations and activities and an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, Bill O’Shea’s Flowers & Gifts has been an institution in Hasbrouck Heights since 1969.

“The O’Shea’s owned the business for years,” said current owner John Kosakowski, who owns the business with his wife Linda who have both worked in the store for 30 years. “When it came time for the family to sell the business when Mr. O’Shea retired, it was the natural order of the business.”

Kosakowski currently lives in Rutherford with his wife and four children. “I met my wife, Linda, at the store and after we married, we both continued working here. It really is a ‘family’ business.”

The Kosakowski’s have now owned the business for two years. A graduate of Bergen Tech’s School of Horticulture, John gravitated towards the flower business after graduation. “I always had a love towards plants gardening and flowers and found my niche working at Bill O’Shea’s" John said, “It really has been a major part of my life.”

“What separates us from places like supermarkets is friendly, personalized service. We will really bend over backwards to help our clients with whatever their needs are,” said Kosakowski. “When customers really want something special, they tend to come back to flower shops. There is a trend of people coming back to specialty retailing. We have lots of repeat business because people are satisfied with our work. We even offer a service during the holidays where we will come in and decorate your home with garlands and wreaths and set up your tree.”

Bill O’Shea’s Flowers & Gifts is a member of FTD and Teleflora and can have bouquets sent all over the country. One can also order flowers through www.osheaflowers.com. and the store is on Facebook. The store will also do custom work right on premises and will work with customers on such important events as weddings, funerals and christenings.

The store creates everyday bouquets for such events as birthdays, graduations, baby showers and get-wells. During the holidays, the store carries seasonal plants, wreathes and funeral blankets. The store offers consultations and decorating ideas for both homes and companies. “This has become a big trend in the business as people have gotten busier and don’t have the time to decorate during the holidays. We do a walk through and give out ideas of what will work,” he said.

Another trend in the business that he has seen is the giving of live plants as gifts. “Live plants have become a growing business as people are going ‘green’ in their homes,” Kosakowski added. Adding to the flower and plant business, he has seen his gift business grow as well. “We carry all sorts of merchandise for any occasion.”

The store carries stuffed animals by Wild Republic and Ganz, specialty greeting cards by Leanin Tree, candles from Colonial and candies from Sweet Shoppe and David Bradley, a native chocolatier from New Jersey. Bill O’Shea’s Flowers & Gifts will also create fruit and gourmet baskets as well for any occasion. The store also provides delivery for all purchases when needed.

Bill O’Shea’s Flowers & Gifts is also a good neighbor in Hasbrouck Heights by participating in many town activities such as being a Sponsor for the Annual Street Fair, the Halloween Window Painting and program that benefits the Bergen County Food Bank’s Center for Food Action.

The store sponsors many sports teams including soccer and baseball and offers tours to the Brownie and Daisy groups in town. The store also donates flowers, balloons and gift items to lots of town organizations. Many customers look forward to the store’s annual Holiday Open House in December, munching on treats while shopping the store for decorating and gift ideas.

Mr. O’Shea was once quoted as saying, “The secret to my success is due to the dedication of my customers and to my community.” John and Linda Kosakowski continue this tradition in Hasbrouck Heights by combining the love of their business and of our community to make things better.

“When you want that personal touch when buying something special,” Kosakowski says, “Nothing beats a visit to a flower shop.”

 

Bill O’Shea’s Flowers & Gifts
231 Boulevard
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
201-288-2300

Parking located in the back of the store