Mercer Island Florist celebrates 50th anniversary with food drive

Published 2:48 pm Monday, October 17, 2011

Donations to the food pantry are being doubled this month at Mercer Island Florist, one of the Island’s oldest retail establishments. The florist shop is celebrating 50 years on the Island by matching donations pound-for-pound during October and giving away prizes.

“This is part of our giving back to the community,” said owner Diane Larson, 58. The Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Food Pantry serves Island residents and families in need.

Larson attributed the florist shop’s long tenure on the Island to the support of the community.

Mercer Island Florist opened when Earl and Anne Payne bought Browne’s Florist and Nursery. The shop was located near Starbucks on the North end, then moved to the Island Market Square. When the Paynes retired in 1986, longtime designer Shirley Larson, Diane’s mother, took over the business. Diane has run the business since her mother’s retirement 14 years ago, and in 2003 the shop relocated to its current site at 3006 78th Avenue S.E.

For more information, go to www.miflorist.com or call (206) 232-2990.