By CHARLENE PAUL
Moapa Valley Progress
Take Moapa Valley Boulevard south to downtown Overton, look to your right, and you can’t miss The Front Porch with its white picket fence and beautiful window displays.
Owned by Charlene Udall, The Front Porch and is located in a building rich with history in and of itself. Once owned by Lee Bishop, it has been a library, an annex to the auto parts store, a place for the Boys’ Club to meet, and a flower shop. At one time, it even housed a Christmas shop in the basement.
Having no previous experience in retail or the floral design business, Charlene Udall couldn’t figure out why, in 2012, she was being drawn to the little shop. But with the support of family and friends, she got her business license and became a small business owner.
Although Charlene loved the historic feel of the place, it needed a major overhaul. She gave it a fresh coat of paint and brought in new creative displays to brighten the interior. One thing that stayed the same was the floor. “I love the way it creaks. It gives you that old-fashioned corner store feeling,” she said. It also needed a name. Char’s Flower Shoppe was considered, but Charlene wanted people know it much more than just a flower shop. She wanted people to feel welcome, like enjoying a beautiful spring day on someone’s front porch. The name stuck and the door to The Front Porch opened on May 4, 2013.
Although Charlene and her staff constantly rearrange the store with its gifts, antique furnishings, cards, Moapa Valley Pirate gear, decorations, and of course, flowers, to keep it fresh, they decided it was time to take everything out and start over. “Our goal was to give it a cleaner look. I brought in a fairy garden display and line of products,” she said. “We’ll have pretty much the same things, but everything will be sectioned off to make things easier to find. It’s still displayed in a fun way that takes you on an adventure.”
On Friday, April 20, The Front Porch held a Celebrating Our New Look day with raffles, giveaways, and Two Gingers Catering, owned by Denise Robertson providing cookies and delicious drinks. People immediately noticed the changes and commented on the brightness of the shop. “It was crazy! We were so busy. So many people came to help us celebrate our new look,” said Charlene. “It was exactly what we had hoped.”
A new consultation area where brides and bridal parties can look at samples, overlays for rentals, tablecloths, and other decorating items was added. “We love our brides,” said Charlene. (The Front Porch is the go-to florist for Cactus and Lace Weddings, owned and operated by Rachel Garcia and Lory Fabbi.)
When asked what one of the most meaningful aspects of the business is, Charlene explains, “Meeting with people and sharing their experiences when they have lost a loved one is a sacred experience. Hearing their stories and being able to offer a little comfort make this part of the business very special.”
During the Christmas season, The Front Porch has a Santa’s Mailbox for kids to bring their letters for Santa. Every single letter is answered personally.
The Front Porch also offers classes. “We had a Fairy Garden class, and a big, burly dad brought his two daughters. It was so much fun!” Classes are small and intimate with different themes. For a list of classes, go to their Facebook page at The Front Porch Flowers and Gifts. You can also find them on Instagram and Pinterest.
Walk past the white picket fence, open the door to The Front Porch, and you will find yourself in a place where the pace is a little slower, folks are a little friendlier, the light shines a little brighter, and the scent of flowers fills the air. From that first, “Welcome to the Front Porch,” to the invitation to, “Come back and see us real soon,” you can rest assured Charlene and her staff will see to it that you find exactly what you are looking for.
(Visit their website at thefrontporchflowers.com. You can order online at overtonflowers.com.)
