Fernandina Main Street is all about connections; Flowering Fernandina and Martex team up to keep downtown blooming

Media Release
Fernandina Main Street
Karen Thompson
April 21, 2016 1:00 a.m.

Fernandina Beach Main Street has coordinated a public-private partnership that will keep downtown blooming throughout the next year. Flowering Fernandina, a group of local volunteers and Martex Services, an area landscaping company are uniting to keep our city sidewalks alive with colorful plants and foliage.

Flowering Fernandina, founded eight years ago, has 28 baskets set on permanent stanchions up and down Centre Street. The baskets were planted earlier this week by the crew from Martex with Pentas, Sweet Potato Vines and Muhly Grass.

Eileen Moore, one of the founders of Flowering Fernandina, said she got the idea for downtown flowers on a cruise when she saw the beauty of flower baskets on the streets of European cities. “I thought, when I get home, I’ve got to do this. Flowering Fernandina is the result of many people coming together to beautify our downtown ,” said the former owner of Art and Antiques on Centre Street.

Flowering Fernandina volunteers take care of the plant baskets year-round and in previous years had to purchase the flowers and plant them. This year Martex contributed in a big way by replacing basket liners, providing flowers at cost and planting the 28 baskets.

According to Martex owner Thomas Livingston the project is a perfect match for his company. “The community is very important to us and we like to participate whenever we can. We admire the dedication of the Flowering Fernandina volunteers and are proud to be part of this downtown beautification project,” he said.

The baskets have been planted and now Flowering Fernandina could use some extra hands to keep them watered. The organization has a wagon, with a water tank, housed at a garage downtown. Depending on the time of year, plants may have to be watered every day or every couple days. If you like flowers and have some extra time, consider contributing a few hours of your time. Contact Karen Lavine at 443/306-6346 or [email protected].

Martex Services has provided landscaping maintenance services in Northeast Florida since 1973. Specializing in horticultural services to large commercial and homeowner associations, the company provides excellence in product and service.

Fernandina Beach Main Street promotes sensible, sustained economic growth and enhancements based on local assets, especially historic resources and buildings. The program maintains a focus on downtown to create greater economic stability, revitalization, sustainability, vitality, quality of life, and civic pride. For more information on Fernandina Beach Main Street contact Director Jeff Kurtz at 904/624-0496 or [email protected].

The Flowering Fernandina/Martex partnership is just one of many Fernandina Main Street programs you will see blooming downtown this summer and for many years to come.

Editor’s Note: Karen is one of the many volunteers involved in the Fernandina Main Street program. She moved to Fernandina Beach five years ago after working in Chicago as a senior public relations specialist for the Midwestern regional office of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Prior to that, she was an editor, columnist and writer for a chain of Chicago newspapers , an account executive for several Chicago public relations agencies and proprietor of her own pr/marketing business. She grew up and earned her journalism degree in Wisconsin.