Doyle Florist builds longevity on quality, service
[subtitle]‘The many suppliers ensure we never have to tell a customer we can’t offer what they want’
— Owner Roxie Singletary [/subtitle]
By Sean Sanders
Outlook Writer
Walk into Doyle’s Floristry and the aroma is inviting. The shop’s interior Roman design has the feel of walking through flower gardens of ancient Italy.
Doyle’s Floristry has been serving Tallahassee flowers decorated in the most vibrant of hues for 90 years. It’s become their reputation, which took time to establish.
In 1926, Elinor Doyle made a hobby of flower arranging. Her passion has bloomed into what still stands as the oldest flower shop in Tallahassee.
When the shop first opened, Doyle, the original owner, set up in the downtown area, on East College Street. The downtown location proved effective for awhile until a clientele shift caused business to slow down.
The business changed hands when Doyle retired, as Katie Addington acquired it in the mid 60’s. Addington eventually hired Roxie Singletary in 1997 to manage the store. Fourteen years later, Singletary took over ownership.
Singletary, 40, is committed to maintaining the high standard established by Doyle. Her customers remained just as committed.
“Good customer service and unbeatable creativity is what it took,” said Singletary. “Any striving business has to make a good rapport with the area it serves.”
Doyle’s Floristry provides flower arrangements for occasions like birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries. Doyle’s also has partnerships with several local funeral homes.
Quality also is a trademark of Doyle’s. The flowers are bought locally in Tallahassee, or shipped from Thomasville and Omega in Georgia or Jacksonville.
“The many suppliers ensure we never have to tell a customer we can’t offer what they want,” said Singletary.
The effort is not done single-handedly as Singletary has a staff of four. Jerry Moore, Singletary’s primary design specialist admires the freedom of expression that can be applied to designing floral arrangements, bridal flowers, funeral reefs and holiday arrangements to name a few.
“I’ve been working here for so long I can’t remember the date I started,” said Moore in regards to his years as a florist at the shop.
Moore’s daily task is to take the abundance of orchids, hydrangea’s, roses, and chrysanthemums – just to name a few – and mold them into masterpieces. They range from summer colors infused with bright oranges and reds to the most elegant of all white pieces.
Singletary and her team plan for the future of the legacy that Elinor Doyle started. In keeping up their good reputation and always expanding their client base they have no fear that Doyle’s Floristry will be here for years to come.
