Derek D’Andrea and his team at Arch in Bloom have done it again. Pandemic weary people will delight at the one-of-a-kind Christmas displays at the nursery and retail store at 201 Pemberwick Rd.
Having turned on a dime from Halloween and their popular “Pumpkins and Pints” fall event to a Christmas theme, the stage is set for this Saturday’s “Flurry Fest” on Saturday, Dec 4 from 12:00 to 6:00pm (Snow date, Dec 5)
Expect music, drinks and activities while you shop for handmade wreaths, bows and garlands, we well as fresh-cut trees, ornaments and seasonal gifts.
Arch in Bloom’s nursery area is brimming with holiday greenery, including farm fresh Balsam, Fraser and Noble Christmas trees, wreaths, swags and garlands. Inside the retail shop, animatronic elves are busy crafting wooden soldiers, countless unique ornaments are displayed on twinkling trees.
According to Arch in Bloom owner Derek D’andrea, he, and his team including sister, mother, fiancée and father, wasted no time changing over displays and merchandise.
“We have about two weeks to turn it around – it’s just guns blazing trying to get it done. Halloween comes down Oct 31 and Christmas starts going up the next day,” D’Adrea said. “We have to be ready for it because we have a large wholesale business and all of our wreaths, garlands – everything is handmade to order. And it’s made fresh.”
With everything handmade, D’Andrea said he and his team expect to work non-stop straight through Christmas eve.
“We don’t buy any products,” he said. “Everything is home grown and hand made.”
They also do seasonal installations, both outdoors and indoors. “It’s all made the same day. Nothing is shipped in.”
Give yourselves time to explore the shop. Every ornament and card is hand selected by D’Andrea’s team.
“Ornaments include everything from a bottle of ranch, to a burrito, to a puffer fish. And to Sasquatch, the GHS Cardinal, and Santa with a mask.”
“We have a collection of felt ornaments from a cool company we like to support – a percentage of the purchase goes to help orphans. People who have young kids really like them because they’re not fragile.”
D’Andrea said on that theme of giving, the Flurry Fest will feature a donation area at the beer and wine tent.
All donations will go to one of five wildlife organizations.
“We raised $400 at the Pumpkins and Pints event and hope to raise more at Flurry Fest,” he said.
Arch in Bloom is located at 201 Pemberwick Road. (203) 550-1235
Find more photos on Arch in Bloom’s Instagram or Facebook or Elves & Co