Top two photos by Stacie Joy
After 30-plus years on the SE corner of Second Avenue and Sixth Street, Sun "Sunny" Ja Hwang has retired from her eponymous shop, provider of arguably the best flowers in the city.
However, fear not, fans of Sunny's Florist: the business remains in the family and the new owners will carry on Sunny's tradition of attentive customer service and high-quality fresh-cut flowers and bouquets.
EVG contributor Stacie Joy met the new owner, Alice Pi, Sunny's niece who bought the shop from her aunt. She'll be assisted by her parents, Peter and Okhyun Pi.
Alice says that she has enjoyed hearing how much people liked Sunny and how she'd often serve as a therapist to regulars while getting their flowers wrapped to go.
Sunny's Florist is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1-8 p.m.
While "beloved" is an often overused word when describing a business or business owner, in the case of Sunny, it really does apply...
Photo of Sunny from February by Lola Sáenz, who initially tipped us off to her retirement.
enjoy your retirement Sunny, you will be missed
ReplyDeleteAs someone new to flowers I’ve always wondered what the “good” shops are and how to tell. Some of the bodegas definitely sell flowers that die almost immediately
ReplyDeleteBest premade bouquets in neighborhood. Partner gets extra points when bringing home Sunny’s. Have a great retirement.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your well-earned retirement, Sunny!
ReplyDeleteOn the Mt. Rushmore of East Village businesses & we will miss you dearly Sunny. Here's to another 30 years filled with prosperity for the new owners...
ReplyDeleteSunny is the absolute best. She is always calm and has been such a nice presence in the neighborhood for 3 decades. Enjoy a long and relaxing retirement!
ReplyDeleteWe will miss Sunny and Eddie, but wish them all the best in retirement and new endeavor, and look forward to Alice and her parents carrying on one of the best businesses in the EV!
ReplyDeleteTHE BEST flower shop in the EV, of long (the longest?) standing! Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, Sunny, and welcome and good luck to Alice. Please keep your aunt's awesome tradition of selling reasonably priced, healthy, creatively arranged, long-lasting flowers!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your retirement, Sunny! You and Eddie will be dearly missed. I look forward to meeting Alice!
ReplyDeleteLooks good on you, Sunny......keeping that smile....on the dial ;>)
ReplyDeleteOn a sadder note, one of NYC's best public service heroes passed away Sunday: Franz Leichter.
Read about all the wonderful things this man accomplished for the city and the country here:
https://www.harlemworldmagazine.com/harlems-franz-sigmund-leichter-new-york-state-assembly-and-senate-member-1930/
Sunny is a true artist and a lovely human being. I will miss her and her son Eddie. Thank you for bringing beauty and joy to our neighborhood. Good luck to the new owners.
ReplyDeleteWe will miss Sunny, Cho and Eddie! But I wish them the best, relaxing retirement. And I'm glad to know her business will remain in the family. So I'm sure the Flowers will be Beautiful as well. I also wish the new owners the Best! Thank you
ReplyDeleteEV Grieve ☀