Sam Rao Florist
75 Years! A Historic Accomplishment, A Modern Era of Design!
“Let flowers do the talking” is more than a slogan.
There is, in fact, a secret language of flowers, and “floriography” is the study of the meaning of each bloom in your bouquet, floral arrangement, or garden. This language is at least as old as Shakespeare, who inserted the name of a meaningful flower often into his plays and dialogue, creating whole new layers of meaning to those who could understand this beautiful language. Many people might know that a red rose is for love, and a lily signifies purity – but did you also know that rosemary is for remembrance, and pansies are for thoughts?
In 2024 Sam Rao Florist celebrated its 75th continuous year doing business here in Central New York, providing messages of love, remembrance, honor, fun, accomplishment and memories all year round.
It was in 1949 when Sam Rao Florist first opened its doors, at the same location where it is now operating. At the time, the shop and greenhouses focused on the floral arrangements as well as vegetables and plants, and soon established a loyal and appreciative customer base – and little could the fledgling business have guessed that it would still be operating 75 years down the road.
In 1987, a young Morrisville College student in horticulture, Rick Bunce, began to work at the establishment, and again, a kind of history was made. After graduating, Bunce continued at the florist’s, this time as a designer, and in time, owner/operator, where he remains today.
Over the years, the emphasis, under Bunce’s leadership, began to evolve at Sam Rao Florist. With the internet introducing people to online ordering with local delivery of flowers and gifts, the business naturally flexed with the times. But Sam Rao Florist never gave up its in person and custom design business, and continued to offer its public the kind of made-for-you service that many prefer. Today, the business has replaced its greenhouses with large showrooms where people can see, and experience, the flowers – and more.
Sam Rao Florist began to offer a wide range of unique and delightful giftware, room décor, and of course, custom-designed floral arrangements.
“We still find,” said Joy Flood, office manager, “that people like to come in and confer. All custom work is done right here with our designers. Our customers are very fond of this, and for us, of course, our customers are number one!”
In other words, Sam Rao Florist offers its customers the best of the “old” world, and the “new.” You can shop online, and know that the fulfillment of your order will be swift, careful, and perfectly executed. Or you can stop in the store, look around, talk with a designer, and get an arrangement or bouquet that expresses your thoughts uniquely in words that only flowers can speak!
And while you’re visiting, you’ll find wall décor, wreaths, swag, gifts, trinkets and memory-making items sure to delight the recipient.
Rick Bunce, and Sam Rao Florist, have been honored many times for contributions to the industry and the broader community. The Camillus Chamber distinguished Sam Rao Florist with the Business of the Year Award. Sam Rao Florist was honored with the Small Business of the Year Award by the NY Small Business Administration. In September, 2024, Sam Rao Florist was named by Senator John Mannion as a Historic Business, and was added to the State of New York Historic Preservation Registry by the Office of Parks, Recreation and History Preservation.
And in its 75-year history, the business has had only 2 owners, and employees who loved their jobs and place of work so much that one woman worked there, as much for the joy of it as anything else, until her 102nd birthday!
More than creating memories spoken with flowers, and offering gifts that will be treasured, Rick Bunce and Sam Rao Florist have been an active part of the community, looking for ways to give back and support the customers from all over CNY. Sam Rao Florist is a major sponsor of the Camillus Memorial Parade, the Town of Camillus annual fireworks at Gillie Lake, and the Barber-Q fundraiser in the summer. They support the Rotary Club, The Camillus Solvay Geddes Kiwanis Club (of which Rick Bunce is a member), the Erie Canal Society, and the Octagon House. They support the three local schools districts – West Genesee, Westhill, and Solvay – with donations to their student activities and fundraisers.
As the business heads into its 76th year, they and we, their customers, look forward to many more anniversaries and weddings, birthdays, graduations, and other of life’s milestones to come – spoken in the language only flowers can express.
(315) 488-3164 | 104 Myron Rd., Syracuse, NY 13219
