When Prish Moran first purchased a series of buildings at the corner of Grant and Lafayette, she knew that she was going to have to find some partners to help her realize the grand vision. One of those partners turned out to be her sister, Rene Moran (photo). Rene was living in Eastern Pennsylvania when she received a phone call from Prish asking if she wanted to move to Buffalo to own and operate a flower shop. The flower shop that Prish had purchased, along with what would eventually become a cafe and gallery, was abandoned and in need of a caring operator. Rene decided to visit Prish… to see the opportunity… and the rest is history.
As of February 11th (just in time for Valentine’s Day) Rene is going to be opening the doors of Mum’s And Daisy’s. The interior is being lovingly transformed from a roughshod wreck to a quaint, country, cut flower gift boutique. “When I first walked in and saw the antique display case,” Rene told me. “I immediately saw the potential. Over the last few days I’ve been researching local products that I plan on carrying at the shop, including Choco Logo custom printed chocolates and Great Arrow greeting cards. As for the displays, many have come from my house in Pennsylvania (wagon wheel and freestanding porcelain sink) while others have come from the neighborhood. Harvey Garrett dropped off a couple of antique milk cans and has arranged for me to pick up a discarded church pew. An old rocking horse came with the shop.”
Rene, who has never lived in Buffalo, has suddenly found herself busy fixing up the original tin ceiling, while painting the floor in preparation for the opening. She and Prish have replaced the oversized transom windows and are now busy repairing the hulking refrigerators. When all is said and done, Grant Street residents can anticipate the type of cut flower and gift shop that might have been present fifty years ago. Be sure to add Mum’s and Daisy’s’ cut flowers, seasonal plants and flower pots to your spring shopping list before heading over to Sweet_ness 7 and Guercio’s just down the way. With all of the recent commercial Grant Street buzz continuing, I wonder what could be next? Stay tuned.
Mum’s and Daisy’s is located at 214 Grant Street (near the corner of Lafayette).