Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 7, 1994 TAG: 9409070060
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
Lisa Roop, Irene Robinson and Emmy Lou Frazier will bring a combination of skills to tying the nuptial knot.
Roop already operates The Wedding Shop at 35 E. Main St. but, during September, will move to bigger quarters at 76 W. Main. She handles wedding bouquets and arrangements, all types of candelabras and church decorations.
She worked for about four years at the Dublin Flower Shop, hired as a bookkeeper but cross-trained to help out as a designer when needed. She found she liked balancing decorations better than books.
She worked three more years as a designer at Dawn's Flower Shop in Pulaski. ``I decided next time I worked in a flower shop, it would be my own,'' she said.
Robinson approached her in January about joining forces, but Roop had her doubts. She already had a job at Renfro Corp. and was attending New River Community College.
``I'm working full time, I'm going to school full time, and I'm thinking, `There's no way!''' she said.
Robinson must have been persuasive, because they went into partnership. Robinson worked with brides on makeup, complexion analysis, personal image profiles and general image enhancement.
``That is my forte right there, because I've been in the cosmetics business a long time,'' she said.
``I also have wedding gifts of every type and design,'' she said.
When the two began planning their expansion, they recruited Frazier. Frazier works on wedding gowns and alterations. ``She can coordinate with us material-wise, design-wise, the whole nine yards,'' Robinson said.
Frazier will also return Western Union to Pulaski's Main Street at the new shop, from the Dublin Fabric Center where she now works. ``I'll be the Western Union agent,'' she said. ``I've been doing it since 1982.''
``We have a cake-maker too, and a photographer,'' Robinson said. The next position for which they are recruiting is a caterer.
``I've always loved Main Street, ever since I was a little girl,'' Roop said, but she never thought she would have a business on it.
The new store will be decorated like the sanctuary of a church, Robinson said. She said she and her partners get caught up right along with the bride and groom in each new wedding. ``It is an exciting time for them, and it's imparted to you, too,'' she said.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***