By JOSH FRYE
News Staff Writer
For 30 years Joyce Petty has owned and operated one of Atmore’s most well-known florists, Atmore Flower Shop. During that time, Joyce has enjoyed every second of being a part of the Atmore community. She has been able to celebrate, rejoice and help comfort many local and area residents.
Joyce, a native of Flomaton, decided to start her business when her then-husband, Joe Petty, came home one day and asked her if she would like to start a flower shop. According to Joyce, the rest is history.
For years, even currently, Joyce studies, reads, attends classes, tests and performs hands-on training in hundreds of settings to achieve the success that Atmore Flower Shop has today.
“Most do not realize there is a lot of education and learning that goes into this business,” Joyce said. “It has been a lot of work, especially when I first started 30 years ago.”
Joyce’s highest and proudest honor came when she tested and earned her American Institute of Floral Design (AIFD) accreditation in 2019. According to Joyce, only an estimated 1,500 businesses and individuals in the world have earned the honor. She traveled to Las Vegas, after passing examinations and received her pin and attended a swearing in ceremony to become fully accredited with the AIFD.
“I am so proud to be member of the community,” Joyce said. “Even though I am originally a Flomaton girl, I made my home here and I have been able to make many friends over the years through the business and I always continue to make more. The people here are like family and I get to serve them during some of the most emotional times of their lives.”