Brooklyn's Progress
June/July 2006

BY HAROLD EGELN

Business is blooming in Brooklyn Heights for Floral Heights, Inc. a new flower and gift shop that carries well crafted floral arrangements, gift baskets and other goodies.

"It's Manhattan quality at Brooklyn prices," said new Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Member Charlotte D'Costa Taylor, who operates the shop, located at 107-109 Atlantic Ave., with business partner Michael Beebe.

Ms. D'Costa Taylor studied professional floral design and the Japanese Ikebana-style at Ohara Center in Manhattan. She began her work as a florist, freelancing, then created a website, Floral Heights was founded in 1998.

Floral Heights, Inc. offers a remarkable variety of goods including contemporary and traditional floral arrangements, tropical plants, gift baskets, candles, Tiffany-style lamps, artwork, table fountains, picnic backpacks, Sun Feather soap and Zulu Grass jewelry.

Mr. Beebe says Floral Heights is the only shop in Brooklyn that carries Zulu Grass, which comes from Africa.  This natural grass is used to create handmade jewelry, necklaces, chains, belts and more.

Floral Heights, which opened Oct. 8, 2005 has produced arrangements for the Trump Tower on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue and, more recently, for the Queen Mary II's first arrival in Red Hook.

Born and raised in Bombay, India, Ms. D'Costa Taylor moved to the United States in 1983. She lived on Manhattan's Upper West Side; in Richmond Hill, Queens and now resides in Brooklyn Heights with her husband Lionel, a marine engineer.

Ms. D'Costa Taylor decided that to avoid a daily subway commute, she would find a location for her own first shop. That search led her to the Atlantic Avenue location. 

"I joined the Chamber in October 2005 at the suggestion of a friend," said Ms. D'Costa Taylor. "The Membership Orientation at the Brooklyn Business Library was great. I had to introduce myself to everyone [despite] being one who likes to work behind the scenes. That public shyness comes from the culture of India. But after a two hour training session, I was helped to break through that barrier."

Since then, Ms. D'Costa Taylor says she has enjoyed Brooklyn Chamber events.

"I especially like the Chamber's networking events. It's a great benefit of membership, with an opportunity to share with other Members," said Ms. D'Costa Taylor.

Mr. Beebe, the other half of Floral Heights who is also the company’s Webmaster, demonstrated a line of children’s puppets that is one of the shop’s popular attractions. Born in Sydney, Ohio and raised in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Mr. Beebe says he left the United States for New Zealand in 1969 and returned in 1994.

While abroad, he got into the import business. He met Ms. D'Costa Taylor in 1999 and, being skilled in website construction, improved the Web site she used for her freelance work.

Everything since has led to the opening of Floral Heights, which is known in the neighborhood for its gorgeous windows and their seasonal and holiday scenes.

Floral Heights, Inc. serves New York City, parts of New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticut and even ships internationally. The shop is open Mon. through Sat. from 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., and Sun. from 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. To contact Floral Heights visit their Web site at http://www.floralheights.com/ or call 718-625-2066.