Parkrose florist brightens lives with creative flair

Local business spotlight: Find out why a woman with a degree
in criminal justice finds happiness purveying flowers and gifts …

Anita Tabayoyon, owner of A.R. MOSS Floral Design and Event Embellishments prepares another “gift of joy” at her Parkrose-area shop.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Even though Anita Sauer was finishing up her Bachelor’s degree in social sciences at the Vancouver campus of Washington State University, she really wasn’t so sure that she wanted to pursue a career in Criminal Justice.

After school, Sauer married David Tabayoyon, and the couple settled down in the Portland area, where she worked as a paralegal and legal assistant for seven years.

“All along, I kept remembering working in a floral shop while I was in high school,” Tabayoyon told us. “Finally, I was able to go back in the floral business when we opened A.R. Moss Floral Design and Event Embellishments here in Parkrose, three years ago.”

Helps others share special feelings
The best part of running her business – in addition to being able to work with her husband David – “is being able to share my creative side with people in the community. I really enjoy helping my customers convey messages of love, care, and positive feelings through the plants and floral arrangements I create for them.”

There are several differences between A.R. MOSS and chain stores or Internet websites, Tabayoyon explained. One of them is genuine personal service. “We get to know our clients – their tastes and budgets – so we’re able to serve them better. We use plants and flowers grown right here in the Pacific Northwest. And, we’re an active member in the Parkrose community who supports our schools, the Parkrose Business Association, and the neighborhood.”

A full-service wedding florist
The “embellishments” part of their business, she said, is being a full-service wedding florist providing everything from a simple bouquet all the way up to decorating wedding arches or gazebos. “We also provide wedding favors; anything to make a special event a little more elegant.”

She said they also help corporate, fraternal, and civic organizations by sprucing up their events – such as holiday parties, annual meetings, and special events. Weddings and events take them to locations such as Bridal Veil, Hood River, Timberline/Mt. Hood, Forest Grove, Lincoln City, Newport, and Astoria.

You’ll never know what you’ll discover at this unique shop. A.R. Moss photo

In the front of their business is a gift store, featuring event décor and embellishment items, event favors, blooming and green plants, dish gardens, candles – and, eclectic vintage, antique, and new home décor, and garden décor and art.

A truly ‘green’ business
In addition to selling greenery, Tabayoyon mentioned that they compost all of the shop’s green waste. “And, we love recycling floral vases and containers, and all of the plastic pots used at our annual plant sale have been reclaimed and reused.”

By the way, they’re holding their annual “Spring Summer Camp” event on Saturday, April 11 – consider stopping by!

The shop, located at 10604 Northeast Sandy Boulevard, is open to the public Tuesday-Friday, 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., Saturday 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., and on Monday by appointment only. You can learn more – or order online, if you desire – by visiting their website at www.ARMoss.com. Or, call them at (503) 358-2692.

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