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Floral Shop Displaced By Fire Finds New Home In Chappaqua

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. – The Chappaqua floral shop destroyed by a fire April 11 has already found a new home.

Whispering Pines of Chappaqua, along with the apartments on the second floor and attic, were destroyed by a fire April 11.

Whispering Pines of Chappaqua, along with the apartments on the second floor and attic, were destroyed by a fire April 11.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly

Whispering Pines of Chappaqua is now operating out of Chappaqua Blooms on 83 S. Greeley Avenue, whose owner Suzanne Lodge offered to share her space.

“If you asked me a week ago, I would have told you that we would be back.  But, I never would I have imagined it would be so soon,” Beth Hundgen, owner of Whispering Pines, said in an email.

New Castle Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein connected the two floral shop owners. As it turns out, Lodge had already emailed Hundgen a day before they met offering her space. 

“Suzanne has been incredible,” Hudgen said.

The April 11 fire ripped through Whispering Pines on 91 Bedford Road, which also housed seven people, including a couple with a 4-year-old child. Their apartments were all destroyed and the Red Cross provided them with temporary lodging. All have since found family or friends to stay with until they can find permanent housing.

“While the families displaced struggled to find new homes, our community united to help them get back on their feet,” Hundgen said in the email, adding a “very special thank you to the fire crews.”

Hundgen’s son Stetson told the Daily Voice that they were committed to staying in Chappaqua, where his mother has been in business for 11 years. That includes about five years at the 91 Bedford Road location.

“Whispering Pines is my never ending project of life that motivates me every day. It is how I change a little corner of the world for the better,” Hundgen said in the email. “It is what feeds my children and puts a roof over our heads. It is my heart and soul. Last week’s fire set us back a few steps, but it has been followed by nothing but amazing support.”

Hundgen, of Mahopac, has also received offers from other merchants to sell her flowers out of their stores.

“I even received offers from residents to sell my flowers out of their homes,” she said. “Through the ashes of this blaze, I am continually reminded of how proud I am to be a member of this incredibly generous community. I am only left with tears of joy.  I feel so lucky to be a part of such a wonderful community. Truly, this would have never been possible without all of your help, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

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