A family-owned business that was once forced to close due to commercial development has sprung back to life, in a victory for the little guy.

Chatswood’s George Circosta was forced to close his florist business three years ago to make way for a four-storey office block - a blow he described as a “kick in the backside”. But, having refused to let the setback get him down, he has reopened the store in Fuller Street as Carmel’s Florist, which will be run by his wife, Carmel.

“She just loves mucking around with flowers, she wanted to go back,” Mr Circosta said.

The response from locals has confirmed it was a good decision.

“I go to the markets for her and come in and help out sometimes. People come in and recognise us from our old shop and say, ‘you’re back!’”

Originally from Italy, Mr Circosta has worked with flowers since he arrived in Australia aged nine. His family settled in Delhi Road, Chatswood, and sold flowers from the backyard before Mr Circosta and his sister could even speak English fluently.

He was running his father’s mixed business shop when his nephew Lieu began selling buckets of flowers outside the house. When Mr and Mrs Circosta quit the mixed business and took over what had become the family flower shop, George’s Florist blossomed into a thriving enterprise and a community favourite.

“In the first one to two weeks of coming in, I built up the business over 100 per cent,” Mr Circosta said. “I did it just by talking to people, mixing up the flowers and making them pretty. I liked people and looked after them and they respected me and came back.”

During his years away from the world of petals and stems, Mr Circosta has learnt a new skill - one that is sure to be of use to his wife after her long days at the florist. “I took a course in Swedish massage and found out I was really good at it,” he said. “My heart is now is massage.”

But whatever his chosen path, Mr Circosta’s secret to success is simple.

“For some people it’s all about money, but for me it’s about the people,” he said. “Having friends is the most important thing to me.”

source : www.villagevoice.com.au