Lakeside Square,
Barnegat, NJ 08005
609-698-3100
Local Florist offers same high quality for 25 years
Black-Eyed Susan's Florist in Barnegat first opened it's doors when George HW Bush was inaugurated, the "Batman" movie premiered and a 6.9 earthquake canceled game 3 of the World Series in San Fransico. With small businesses struggling to stay afloat in today's economy and having to hold on to th
eir share of the market for dear life, Black-Eyed Susan's owner, Susan Lockner, is thrilled to be, not only still standing, but thriving! "We do what we do best: design flowers and personally deliver them, many times within a certain time frame, to 90% of Ocean County. We have seen other businesses branch out into something other than their original service/product and it drags them down". And by honing that art the past 25 years, we are blessed to receive daily compliments from our wonderful customers and high quality awards from the giants in the industry like Teleflora, FTD & 1800 flowers. One of the most sincere form of flattery, though is to be recommended by our customers, "we get that a lot!", says Susan. "The men and women who work with us at BES (Black-Eyed Susan's) are the 'BES-T' in the business. We all have worked hard since day 1 to offer the best product and services available", Susan says, Our customers have become good neighbors and friends. So many love to joke around with our name - "whose got the black eye?" "where's the black eyed Susan?" One of the employees will first say Black-Eyed Susan is the name of a flower, then point to me and say "here she is!" "We have a real live (Black eyed) Susan who has dark brown eyes!". "We've been having fun with that since day 1 too!"
A lot of things have changed over these past 25 years. Not only the look and feel of our area - with the population explosion of so many 55+ developments, 4 new schools, more roads and the 4 lane light at West Bay and Barnegat Blvd, but also in the floral industry: "the designs and flowers are still traditional but there are more dramatic/high style designs, flowers and containers available today." Susan says "My grandfather raised our mom and her brothers and sister owning a florist in Jersey City in the 1930's and 40's. Our mother and mentor, Josephine, taught us all we needed to know about the creative side of this business and our father Pete taught us the business end. The way our grandfather did things so long ago, like decorating the easel where a funeral spray hung, aren't the norm now. And funerals are not how they were back then either. Instead of in a person's home, viewings today are held in funeral homes, at the grave site or in a church. Where ever the service is, flowers are still an integral part of a funeral. There has to be some natural beauty for the bereaved to concentrate on to ease even a small bit of the stress and grief. Another change is our address - for the past 12 years we are located on Route 9 at Seneca Blvd. exactly on the township line between Barnegat and Waretown, "giving us the best of both world's!" "We do work for both police departments, both town halls and all the schools in the local communities. By the same token, Black-Eyed Susan's Florist has been supporting the churches, schools, PTAs, Band parents' groups, police depts, businesses, charity organizations, veterans' organizations, home owner associations and more in the area for 25 years". Says Susan, "One of our proudest accomplishments is to establish a scholarship fund, awarded annually to both a Barnegat High School student and a Southern Regional High School student". Black-Eyed Susan's Florist was the first business to offer a scholarship in Barnegat High School. "I hope other businesses take our cue, it's very rewarding", says Susan. "Being a small business in this area for 25 years, being part of the fabric and witnessing the changes is an honor. For 25 years we love what we do and it shows!"
Black-Eyed Susan's Florist is located on Route 9 and Seneca Blvd., in Lakeside Square, on the Barnegat/Waretown border. 609-698-3100
We have been included in publications by Teleflora, FTD, 1800flowers, Asbury Park Press and Times Beacon Newspapers. Your shopping experience is enhanced by a tranquil and eye pleasing atmosphere; friendly and knowledgeable staff and floral artists and a large selection of designs to choose from in:
Both fresh and silk arrangements
Green and blooming plants
Fruit and gourmet baskets
Chocolates
scented candles
plush stuffed animals
body oils and holistic items geared for relaxation
and gifts
We are a certified Thomas Kinkade dealer, carry products by Lenox, Waterford, Burt’s Bees, artists: Lena Liu and Laura Ashley and chocolates by Whitmann and Russell Stover. Located on the Barnegat/Waretown border, we are a 4th generation florist committed to our community since being established in 1989. One of our proudest accomplishments has been to establish the Black-Eyed Susan's Florist Scholarship Fund which is awarded annually to a student in both Barnegat High School and Southern Regional High School. We support area churches such as St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Bayside Chapel, Barnegat United Methodist; Barnegat Board of Education, elementary, middle and high schools in Barnegat, Priff and Waretown Elementary schools in Waretown; and Southern Regional Middle and High Schools; Barnegat, Ocean Twp and Long Beach Twp Police Departments; Homeowner’s association groups such as 4 Seasons at Mirage, Heritage Bay, Heritage Point, OceanAire/Greenbriar and Pebble Beach; veterans’ organizations: American Legion and VFW; along with Ocean County and major organizations like Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Catholic Charities-Providence House Domestic Violence Services, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, The Knights of Columbus, Operation Enduring Freedom and the DARE Programs.
