Cascading flower baskets and blooming planters festoon the sidewalk in front of florist S.F. Falconer, transforming part of South Maryland Avenue into a blossom-filled stretch. Look closely: the flowers are red, white and blue, the planters punctuated with American flags.
"It's Americana," said Fred Falconer, the shop's owner and an interior plantscape designer, who changes the outdoor themes seasonally. The patriotic plantings echo the shop window's décor, featuring bunting and paper lanterns bedecked with stars and stripes.
Flowers from Falconer have adorned Port Washington porches and vases for 86 years. Now the shop boasts its own new decoration: the gilt-framed Golden Storefront Award, awarded monthly by community groups Residents for a More Beautiful Washington (RFMBPW) and the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District (BID).
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"S.F. Falconer beautifies not only its storefront and sidewalk, but the community," said Mindy Germain, Resident's executive director. "Falconer donates the flowers to the window boxes at the Long Island Railroad station and the flower box at the Town Dock. They do more than just their block, they spread beauty into the community."
The Golden Storefront Award recognizes businesses for maintaining a debris-free storefront and sidewalk area, weeding and watering sidewalk tree beds, regularly sweeping sidewalks, adhering to trash collection schedules and maintaining clear sight lines into store windows.
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S.F. Falconer is a Port Washington mainstay, first opening its doors in 1924. Fred Falconer is the third-generation of his family to run the 30,000-square-foot shop. Falconer cultivates most of its plants in the shop's three greenhouses; others such as vegetables are purchased from dealers. Plants, flowers and custom orders are available year–round. The store also offers seasonal items including pumpkins and Christmas trees. And it provides planting services for patios, pools and planters.
The store also offers something else: terrific advice. Looking for plants to withstand hot sun? Plant portulaca and begonias. Have a shady garden spot? Impatiens and fuschias are for you. Concerned about the new watering restrictions by the Port Washington Water District? Again, try portulaca, the drought-tolerant, yet delicate moss rose, or mixed sedums, advises Falconer.
The "Golden Storefront" is awarded monthly; last month's winner was the Sweet Comfort Bakery & Café. Votes for merchants can be cast at Residents' web site.
