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MOUNT KISCO, N.Y.Frank Yozzo has worn many different hats in his life. He served in the Vietnam War, dabbled in interior design, tried his hand at banking, is even the youngest of 10 kids, but the way most people in Mt. Kisco know Yozzo is as the florist.
Four Seasons Flower Shop, the store that Yozzo opened when he was just 24 years old, is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. Although the longevity of the business is impressive during a time span that saw many economic ups and downs, what really stands out is that Yozzo has been running the shop almost entirely by himself for the whole time.
He hired a couple people in the beginning but found that sitting back and watching wasnt a good role for him.
I did everything. I was fussy and I wanted to do everything myself, Yozzo said. Now he hires part-time help to come in when he has big projects to work on.
Yozzos hands on approach to the floral arts started at a young age when he decorated for his third sisters wedding and ended up landing a job at a floral shop as a result.
By watching the florist there and asking lots of questions, Yozzo was able to get a grasp on the art and realized he was good at it.
Shortly after returning home from being drafted in 1963, Yozzo decided to open up a florist shop of his own in Mt. Kisco.
He remembers how he needed his mothers signature to get approved for a $2,500 loan and how ten years later he was successful enough to put a down payment on a house.
Business has been good for Yozzo over the last 45 years, but hes felt the effects of this last economic down turn.
The last three years or four years the business isnt the same, Yozzo said. A lot of people who got flowers every week stopped.
Yozzo still remains busy preparing arrangements for weddings, funerals, proms and other events, although he hopes to be slowing down and retiring in the near future.
Did you ever get flowers from Four Seasons Flower Shops?
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