Marie Johnson arrived in Grass Valley in 1966 as a struggling, single mother from Indiana with a dream to start her own flower shop. Forty-one years later, Johnson's Foothill Florist on West Main Street - started with money she borrowed from her brother - has become a downtown landmark with a stream of loyal clients. Her secret is simple: "Have a positive attitude every day and be grateful for where you are and how you are," she said.
"The flower lady," as she is known by merchants in town, makes it a point to support her fellow women business owners. She knows of only one other woman who has owned a downtown business longer than she has: Helen Williams of Williams Stationary on West Main Street. They call themselves the "Old Girls of Main Street," Johnson said.
Floral arrangement is definitely an art form, she said, a trade that's brought her together with people in major life changes such as weddings and funerals. "It's very interesting and satisfying," said Johnson. Christmas is Johnson's favorite occasion for decorating, when she displays a 32-foot tree in her two-story shop.
The rose is her favorite flower, which she uses as her logo. "The rose is just perfection, in my mind," she said. Her sons, Todd Johnson and Grass Valley Mayor Mark Johnson, both played an integral part in the shop's success, she said.
They now run the business. "I never imagined them being interested in this, but they run it better than I ever did," she said, sitting in her shop's upstairs art gallery. Now 76, Johnson prefers to work two days a week and spend her free time traveling, going to art shows and museums and fostering a successful local business community.
She has traveled to Cornwall, England, the Greek islands and the Caribbean. She supports several charitable organizations including the Friendship Club, a local mentoring program for at-risk girls, and Business and Professional Women of Grass Valley. For her role in the Independence Day parade, Johnson will wear a denim shirt decorated with stars and stripes, made by local business owner Joan Unter.
Look for her riding in a light-pink, vintage Thunderbird convertible, owned by fellow merchant Rita Burns, owner of Tess's Great Kitchen Place on Mill Street. "This is small town America," Johnson said. "I'm proud of our community and country, and I'm happy to celebrate them.
" To contact Staff Writer Robyn Moormeister, e-mail robynm@theunion.com or call 477-4236. Marie Johnson arrived in Grass Valley in 1966 as a struggling, single mother from Indiana with a dream to start her own flower shop.
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