Shopping in East Highland Park

Fountain Bookstore's well-read staff curates a selection of national bestsellers and regional works, many of which have been autographed by their scribes. Adults, teens, and children can discover new reads by consulting staff recommendations or by channeling the ghosts of writers of old with pocket Ouija boards. In addition to the store's wide selection of tomes, events such as author readings or Young Adult Saturdays congregate book lovers for communal festivities. Dogs are welcome to trot into the bookstore alongside their owners, and complimentary curbside delivery service allows patrons and canines to retrieve previously ordered books without stepping out of the car.

The friendly staffers at family-owned-and-operated Petals & Bows Florist happily tailor their bouquets to customers’ needs. Their purview incorporates seasonal arrays of fresh-cut blossoms, ranging from classic red roses to sprays of purple limonium, and can come paired with accessories such as festive bows or teddy bears. Prompt service ensures arrangements ready in time for special events, such as weddings, landmark birthdays, or commemorating a couple’s first kiss that didn’t include a lost tooth.

In 1955, Maybelle and George Landa began crafting makeshift bundles of pansies to sell alongside produce at their roadside stand. Before long, they were offering fresh-cut Christmas trees, cut flowers, and various houseplants, and the business bloomed into Boulevard Flower Gardens at Ruffin Mill. After decades of growth, the business was passed down to son Mark Landa and his wife Francine.

Today, Boulevard Flower Gardens resides on 6 acres that house a 33,000 square-foot greenhouse and hosts a wide variety of events. Computerized climate control creates optimal growing conditions for plants and a retractable A-frame roof hopes to lure a baseball franchise to hold spring training. The diverse staff includes certified horticulturalists, a full-service florist, and Wilbur the potbelly pig, a friendly mascot who's famous for his seasonal pumpkin carvings. When not tending to the nursery or the gift shop's selection of jellies, flags, and local wines, Mark Landa can be seen dispensing gardening wisdom on WRIC 8's morning news program.

Tailors masterfully hand-stitch perfectly fitted suits from quality horsehair canvas and one of 300 fabrics, attracting a client base of politicians, celebrities, athletes, and business leaders. They can also complement individual body types and styles with a plethora of flourishes such as a functional lapel buttonhole, pick stitching, Italian-style slanted pockets, or soft inner linings made from the hides of poached Muppets.

Patrons can design each custom, hand-stitched shirt from more than 1,200 fabric choices, 15 collar styles, and 11 cuff designs. Tailors honor special shirt requests, such as increased length for easier tuck-ins or extra neck room for those with second heads. Additionally, they work to ensure shirts live longer by double stitching along seams that tend to endure the most strain while worn. The tailors can also bullet proof any of their suits.