GLENFIELD — The 27th Annual Business Person of The Year Award will be presented to Heidi VanZandt, owner of Sunny Crest Flower Shop in Lowville.
The Lewis County Chamber of Commerce award will be given at the Glenfield Fire Hall Dec. 3. The evening’s schedule: 6 p.m. Social Hour, 7 p.m. Family Style Dinner. Dinner includes ham and turkey, salad, potato, vegetable, rolls and dessert. The cost is $20 per person with reservations by calling Anne at 376-2213. A silent auction will be held.
VanZandt and her husband Eric Virkler are partners in the business with Heidi responsible for all operations. Eric helps with accounting and other tasks.
Heidi grew up in Lowville, the daughter of Charlotte VanZandt, Lowville and John VanZandt, Glenfield.
She is a 1984 graduate of Lowville Academy and Central School, has an associate in applied science degree in advertising design from Cazenovia College and a bachelor of science degree in graphic design from The College of Saint Rose, Albany, in 1988. After completing college, Heidi held jobs in graphic design including working for college publications as LeMoyne College, Syracuse. In 1995, Heidi and her husband purchased a flower shop in Syracuse at the corner of Midler Avenue and Sunnycrest Road. Heidi renamed the business Sunnycrest Flowers.
In 1998, Heidi and Eric moved home to Lowville to be closer to family. After considering her business options, Heidi decided to reopen Sunnycrest Flowers in Lowville. In May 1999, the store started its second life on North State Street in Lowville. The rented storefront proved to be too small and in October 2001, Sunnycrest Flowers moved to its current location at 7502 E. State St. at Number Four Road.
Sunnycrest Flowers began with flowers, plants and seasonal gifts. Over the years, it has added items including Green Mountain Coffee, Croghan Candy Kitchen chocolates, Webkinz, plush animals by Gund and tuxedo rental through Jim’s Formal Wear. These are in addition to a variety of fresh flowers, plants, dishgardens, balloons, fruit and gift baskets.
She is active at the First Presbyterian Church in Lowville, the Lowville Cream Cheese Festival, Operation Lowville, and the Harvest of the Arts. She has been the captain of Sunnycrest Flowers Relay for Life team for 10 years, and she has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since 1999.
