By Ofelia Saenz, Staff Writer
While sending roses may be sweet, a bouquet of chocolate dipped strawberries is sweeter still–literally.
At least Carl and Veronica Billingsley believe so, which is why last May they opened their own location of the franchise Edible Arrangements in the Long Beach neighborhood of California Heights. Edible Arrangements creates enticing fruit bouquets that are as lovely as they are delicious.
“These days, many people are health conscious,” Veronica says, and perhaps that has something to do with the remarkable success the couple has enjoyed since opening the store.
The elegant bouquets feature choice pieces of sweet pineapple, perfectly ripened bananas, crisp green apples, picture-perfect strawberries and a variety of other types of fruit. Each arrangement is made to order, and the fruit is not cut until the bouquet is about to be assembled. This, say the Billingleys, ensures the utmost freshness.
“The quality of the fruit is a real big issue with us,” Carl says. According to Veronica, they also save the fruit from drying out by keeping its exposure to the air down to a minimum.
Some of the speared fruit is also dipped in either white or dark chocolate, which adds both a lovely decorative and slightly decadent touch to the arrangement.
Although opening the business was a challenge–the store opened its doors Mother’s Day weekend and managed to put out more than 200 arrangements in just four days–the payoff, according to Carl, has made it worth all the hard work.
“For me the rewarding part comes from the pleasure that we bring to people’s faces,” he says. “It’s the look of delight of the customers when they see the products. When we walk up to a door or a hospital room with fresh cut fruit [made to look] like a floral arrangement, everyone wants to see it and everyone enjoys it.”
Carl says the bouquets make a wonderful gift for just about any occasion, and he points out that several companies in the area, such as Boeing, are using the baskets to show appreciation to special clients.
“People call for very different reasons,” Carl says. “Some people want to give a unique gift and some people just want something special for dinner at home that evening…every occasion is a great occasion for Edible Arrangements.”
“Edible Arrangements is a healthy, refreshing, unique gift,” Veronica says with a smile, to which her husband adds with a wink, “Even as a gift to yourself.”
Edible Arrangements is located at 4102 Orange Avenue in Long Beach. For more information, call (562) 988-2468.
For a peek at the many arrangements that are available, stop by the store and pick up a brochure or visit www.ediblearrangements.com.
