Gardiner flower child Theresa Colucci has always had a love for the blossoming fruit and flowers in the Hudson Valley. As a teenager she worked in a local floral shop while attending high school. Then in college, in Boston, she was able to secure a job in an “amazing flower shop.” No matter “how stressful college was, it always soothed me,” she said.
Upon her return to Gardiner, she opened up her first floral shop in Wallkill in 1987. While she greatly enjoyed and still enjoys her customers there, she wanted to set roots in her hometown and opened up the Meadowscent floral and specialty gift shop in 1997. “It felt great to own a business in my hometown!” said Colucci. “I love to serve the community and the schools I grew up in.”
She was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Design in 2006 and became that much more active in the floral industry. “I travel nationwide to teach design and inspire other floral professionals,” as well as teaching floral design at SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Cobleskill. “I love what I do, and am still happy to go to work each day!” said the florist.
Colucci is the subject of the New Paltz Times’s weekly Meet & Greet feature.
Business or Organization:
Meadowscent.
Occupation:
Florist.
Where are you from originally?
Gardiner.
What makes Gardiner unique?
The New Paltz/Gardiner area is unique because of our beautiful, scenic terrain and our many independent businesses.
What do you like about this community?
That it’s a college town that people fall in love with and never leave.
What is your favorite hangout?
My house with good friends and great food.
Tell us something we never would have guessed about you.
I have my degree in hotel/restaurant management.
What keeps you here?
An amazing network of friends.
What would you change?
More than one road from the Thruway to the mountain.
Where would we find you on Sunday mornings?
St. Joseph’s Church.
What is your favorite virtue?
Kindness.
What profession, other than your own, would you like to attempt?
To be an art historian in Italy.
Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here?
Wayne Elliott.
What qualities do you admire most in others?
Enthusiasm and friendliness.
What is your idea of happiness?
Sounds corny but, helping others makes me happy. Vacations rank pretty high too.
What is your idea of misery?
Life without flowers.
What talent do you wish you had been given?
I wish I could play the piano.
What is your main fault?
I have a sarcastic streak that not all find as humorous as me.
For which fault do you have the most tolerance?
That’s a hard one. How about the least tolerance? Rudeness.
What is your favorite motto?
Life doesn’t wait; step out of your comfort zone!
Join the family! 
