By Debbie Adams
Mark Frye, floral designer and owner of Creative Occasions Events, Flowers & Gifts in Vinton,
this month is marking 30 years of celebrating the special events and milestones in the lives of
others – weddings, graduations, birthdays, proms, Bar mitzvahs, Quinceañeras, anniversaries,
retirements, corporate events, and sympathy tributes.
Frye is not originally from Vinton. He moved to the Bonsack area of Roanoke in 1980. His wife
is a William Byrd graduate, as are their children. He purchased Obenchain’s Flower Shop in
downtown Vinton in 2000.
Creative Occasions, Events, Flowers & Gifts in Vinton. (photos courtesy of Mark Frye)
In three decades, he has become not just locally renowned – but nationally acclaimed. The
highlights of his professional life may be the two consecutive years when he assisted the White
House in decorating for the holiday season in 2021 and 2022. He was also one of the first florists
involved in the annual Hotel Roanoke Fashions for Evergreens fundraiser.
2021 AND 2022.
However, “Flowers were not a part of my professional/career life early on. I knew I enjoyed
them but never thought that I could support my family working in ‘flower world.’ I worked in a
flower shop as a teenager – washing buckets, sweeping floors, making deliveries. I have two
degrees (a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorder and a Master’s in Speech Pathology)
and worked in that field for 5-6 years. Then, I worked as a lumber/plywood/building supply sales
rep for about 13 years. During all that time, I piddled with flowers because of how much I
enjoyed them. And it was later in the building products career that I seriously began considering
a change in profession and working in the flower business.
“I started my business in 1995, working from my home while also working another full-time
job. When the opportunity presented itself to me to purchase Frances Obenchain’s shop, I was
honestly a bit unsure about how I would be received. I knew that she had a long-standing
community presence (along with her family) and a great business reputation. She would not sell
the business without also selling the building, so I also became a property owner in Vinton. The rest is history! The community has been amazing and embraced this ‘new guy’ from the very
beginning.”
So, how did Frye’s passion for flowers get started? He says that when he was a toddler, his
parents rented a duplex from a woman who had a magnificent flower bed. He was admonished to
stay out of the flowers, but couldn’t resist picking a bunch, which he put in a mayonnaise jar and
placed on the kitchen table.
His passion for the business continues today. “I read, watch, and attend everything I can to hone
my craft. I have always believed that continuing to educate yourself is how you stay fresh and
keep up with, really, any industry, but the basics of it are, I think, a God-given gift.”
His first official wedding was in June 1995, so this month is what he is considering his
anniversary month.
“The business is split about 50-50 between daily work (birthdays, sympathy, hospitals, etc.) and
event work (weddings, private parties, corporate events).
As for his favorite type of event, “I do love weddings! It’s such an honor to be chosen to be part
of such a special day in the life of a couple. And, with that type of event comes a pretty
significant pressure to be sure everything is just right! But, it’s a pressure that I’ve become used
to.” He has done hundreds of weddings through the years.
His favorite event in his 30 years in business? “Answering this question is like choosing my
favorite child! First off, I think of my own kids’ weddings. They were so special and such an
honor for me to be able to do what I do – for my kids. I remember a Halloween wedding quite
fondly. Another wedding was an elegant New Year’s Eve celebration. An elegant Quinceanera.
A special sports-themed Bar mitzvah. Some large corporate events that took place at the Omni
Homestead resort over the course of four days. Oh, so many!”
Downtown Trick or Treat.
Frye shares the credit with his staff for his success through the years. “I currently have 13 folks
on staff (lucky 13!). Laura Taylor (15 years) and Cara Cooper (12 years) are two of my longest-
term employees. I also have a couple of folks, Vicky Keith and Pam Rhodes (24 years each and
both recently retired from us) who have been with me a long time and work events or Saturdays
only. Others Corey Moore (6 years), Mark and Beth Hathaway (7 years) who are great
additions. I’m so very blessed and fortunate to have the team that I have! A couple of newer
folks, too, who have proved themselves to be quite helpful and are great additions to the team.”
And the key to his business success?
“I would say that I have always tried to keep an open mind about opportunities – whatever they
might be. I remember years ago hearing about a friend who lived in the Richmond area and was
a floral designer there, and her experience as a volunteer decorator at the White House. I thought,
Wow, that would be cool and never let go of that ‘maybe someday’ feeling. So, when an
opportunity came along to apply, I did.
“After volunteering that first year at the White House, I came home feeling invigorated and like I
wasn’t done – I had more to give. That was the start of the You Tube series ‘Blossoms and Bourbon.’ Every two weeks we share an episode which features a floral tutorial and a bourbon tasting.”
Frye reached out to a videographer friend, Jason Collins (Simple Times Photography) about
production. “He has been hugely instrumental in all things production and is always coming up
with new ideas and new ways to add to our foundational mission of education. He’s the real
talent of the series.”
In addition, “Hotel Roanoke has been a great vendor partner. After having done the Fashions for
Evergreens event for years, the GM at the time (Gary Walton) reached out and asked if I would
be interested in helping with new holiday decor for the hotel. That was probably 10 years ago,
and I’ve been working with them ever since.”
During his 30 years in business, Frye has won many prestigious awards, including the Honorable
Mention he received at the Sylvia Cup Competition, sponsored by the SAF (Society of American
Florists).
“There are designers from across the country, many of whom were state award winners (I went
as the Virginia State Floral Association winner). There are three awards given at the Sylvia Cup
– Winner and two Honorable Mentions. That was quite an unexpected and very flattering win!”
Frye’s son Jared and his wife Jennie and their two daughters, Emery and Hattie, live in
Daleville. Jared is a partner in the farm operation that Frye’s wife Debbie also runs (C & F
Farms).
“My daughter Joanna and her husband Andrew live nearby in Roanoke County. She is a pastry
chef and owns/operates her own business, Blush Baking Co. She makes some of the most
beautiful wedding cakes. (Please google her!) My wife Debbie is the glue that holds us all
together, running the farm operation and always being supportive of whatever my next crazy
project is!”
A special weekend is coming up on June 28 and 29 to celebrate the Creative Occasions’
anniversary. A “Thank You” Open House is planned at the Vinton shop that Saturday from 10
a.m. to 2 p.m. with a reception for “all our loyal customers over the years” and the public. There
will be refreshments and goodie bags, as well as a grand prize. If you stop by the shop (111 E.
Lee Avenue) beforehand, you can register to win seasonal flower arrangements delivered
(locally) every month from July 2025 through June 2026.
The fun continues on Sunday, June 29, with a Blossoms & Bourbon “With a Twist” event at the
Hotel Roanoke. Tickets are still available for “an afternoon of floral artistry and craft cocktails.”
(Tickets: https://bit.ly/BlossomsandBourbonEventbrite.) It begins in the 1882 bar, then moves to
the AKA Speakeasy Room from 3 to 4 p.m. for a hands-on Floral Arranging & Mixology Class.
Henry Hill Jr., an award-winning mixologist and Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel
Association’s “Bartender of the Year.” will guide guests through crafting a signature bourbon-
inspired cocktail. Drinks in hand, participants will transition into a fun-filled floral design session led
by Frye.
