FLOWER WORLD :: 83 THIRD STREET :: 518-270-9308
When you enter Flower World on 3rd Street, you’re not sure what to expect. However you’re immediately greeted with a dark intimate room filled with items to peruse. Depending on the day you come in, you may be greeted with a shelf of fall-hued bouquets in ceramic pumpkin vases, jars of handmade natural soap, oils, dried lavender and an assortment of fresh cut flowers tiered along the wall. Live plants are popular for local residents and offices as well. The flow of inventory for a flower shop is something that is completely different than a regular retail store. Seasonality is key, however; the holidays are the times when the shop is cleared out to make way for high demand.
For owner, Nina Durr, a longtime gardener, the growing cycle is one that is engrained in her. She and her assistants are always able to make special orders for particular flowers or plants, while working in a space that seems to be ever growing and changing. Flower World originally opened in 1991, on Broadway. It moved to its current location at 83 Third Street seven years ago. Nina took on the business in 2001 and has seen it grow alongside Downtown Troy’s changing landscape. Many of her customers are walk-ins off the street, wanting to create custom bouquets on the spot. She always has on hand a variety of fresh flowers, vases; while maintaining deliveries and wedding and event orders.
Nina learned quickly that the difference between gardening and a flower shop is that not everyone likes the same things. Tastes are far and wide, she makes sure the shop has different offerings or can make special orders, if necessary. If she was a flower shop owner in a large city, she could survive on having just one kind of fresh cut flower, however, for a smaller city or town; she broadens her customer base and offers many varieties in flowers and house plants. Nina feels it provides for a great atmosphere to shop and work in. Working in Troy for such a longtime is just as engaging. She is interested to seeing what will grow alongside the new apartment complexes coming in and the diversity in the growing food scene. Downtown Troy has changed greatly between even 10 and 20 years ago, but its amazing architecture, walkability, food culture and people are how it maintains its charm and links to a vibrant historical present and past. Nina is always excited to help all her different customers that stop into the shop for something fresh, colorful and one-of-a-kind.
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