All Around Pennsauken

By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Philadelphia Flower Show is the longest-running and largest indoor flower show in the world, bringing visitors from all over to see amazing floral exhibits and displays. However, two of the exhibitors weren’t from that far away at all. Pennsauken-based Michael Bruce Florist, as well as longtime native Rick Cuneo, helped to “Celebrate the Movies” at the 186th Flower Show.

Frozen Inside And Out

This year’s Flower Show was impacted by weather when a “nuisance” snow storm hit the Philadelphia area. But the snow inside this year’s Flower Show was much more intentional and better received. Michael Bruce Florist’s display, “Silver Thaw,” was inspired by Disney’s mega-hit, “Frozen.” According to the display’s description, “The line between winter and summer blurs when the spring thaw occurs. A cold, hard landscape melts into spring softness as a ‘Frozen’ ice castle is thawed by love.”

Michael Bruce Florist, based in Pennsauken, displayed their “Frozen” inspired exhibit, “Silver Thaw.” Photo Credit: Matt McDevitt.

“It was a team effort,” explained Bruce. “We wanted to create an exhibit that kids would understand.”

“We couldn’t do a ‘thinking man’s’ exhibit because we didn’t want to take it into the realm of confusion for the children. So when they looked at it, they got it. They knew it was ‘Frozen,’” added Bruce. “We were very excited because it was more like stage set production than we’d ever done before. It kind of looked like it might have been on Broadway.”

Michael Bruce Florist, who has exhibited at the Philadelphia Flower Show for 11 years, is a recent transplant to Pennsauken. Formerly based in Collingswood, the business moved from a retail sales-based model to focus more on being an event florist; they will be happy to arrange fresh flowers if customers call ahead, but the business no longer accepts walk-ins. They also moved much closer to Pennock Floral, the premier wholesaler serving the Eastern Seaboard with a full selection of cut flowers, floral containers and supplies, and specialty items. “Pennock is 300 little footsteps from my front door. It’s extremely convenient and wonderful.”

The Pennsauken location, which is double the size of their old shop and includes a 20-foot ceiling, also allowed Michael and his staff to do more prep work in advance of the show.

“This is the first year, because we have this spot, that we could actually work on our displays for the Philadelphia Flower Show prior to showing up,” says Bruce. “That’s huge. Before, we would have to show up at the flower show and see how it went together because we didn’t have the space.”

“Silver Thaw” received a warm reception at the Flower Show, receiving a PHS Bronze Medal for the floral category as well as a People’s Choice award. The team at Michael Bruce Florist is already hard at work for next year’s exhibit.

Michael Bruce Florist is located at 7025 Colonial Hwy, Unit 4, in Pennsauken. For more information, visit MichaelBruceFlorist.com.

Pennsauken’s Cuneo Part Of Best In Show

As a kid, Rick Cuneo worked at the old Carlin’s Market, which used to be a go to place for produce, flowers and more along Westfield Ave. Today, the member of Pennsauken High School’s Class of 1977 owns the Cherry Hill Flower Barn and has worked on exhibits at the Philadelphia Flower Show for almost 40 years.

“The most exciting part of the Flower Show is just getting to work with really motivated, talented designers,” says Cuneo. “It’s great to be around other creative people.”

Pennsauken native Rick Cuneo with his pod display for the Philadelphia Flower Show’s Designer’s Studio. Photo courtesy of Rick Cuneo.

Rick worked on the exhibit displayed by the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), the floral industry’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to establishing, maintaining and recognizing the highest standard of professional floral design. An AIFD member since 2009 after passing a stringent accreditation process which included a four-hour “Top Chef” style design competition, Cuneo helped to present “Princesses,” an exhibit where “visitors young and old are transformed into a magical mood as they enter the red carpet experience created by the American Institute of Floral Designers. The Eleven Official Disney Princesses, from the first Snow White to the last Merida are depicted in a floral interpretation of their individual style and story. Spectacular flowers in brilliant colors give each viewer the opportunity to imagine something special about every Princess.” The exhibit received the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Cup Best in Show for floral design.

In addition, Cuneo put together a pod display for the Show’s Designer’s Studio, which invites the nation’s best floral designers to “show their stuff live on stage.” For years, Rick has done live presentations for Show attendees. He has also won four ribbons at this Flower Show event for the last two years.