| Updated: 11/19/2012 2:37 pm |
Published: 11/19/2012 10:56 am
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Midtown Tulsa --
Fire devastates a popular Midtown Tulsa flower shop leaving the owners and customers asking why. Ted & Debbie’s Flower and Garden shop has been in the Tulsa community for 25 years now. The fire damaged the south part of the building including a showroom and greenhouse. Despite the damage, the owners say they will remain open.
Owner, Debbie Wilson spent weeks decorating and preparing to host her beloved clients during the holiday season.
"I looked around and it was just so gorgeous, and I was just so pleased and so happy,” she says.
She and her husband Ted have owned the 41st & Harvard store for 25 years.
Her open house drew hundreds of faithful customers.
"I remember I turned around and I looked and it was like I was getting a last look…you know what I mean,” she says.
That last look is something she holds onto as she gazes at the rubble her store has now become. This isn’t the first time the Wilson family has faced adversity.
"It's not the worse thing my family has been through. We've been through the death of my brother. He was murdered several years ago,” says Debbie’s daughter, Olivia Lee.
Despite this huge setback, the family is holding onto their faith in God believing He will turn their ashes into beauty.
"Every single time we've seen God restore it and when He restores it He doesn't just make it back to its original thing -- He makes it better than it was before,” says Lee.
Sandra Baker has been coming to Ted & Debbie’s for 18 years now. She loves to buy Pansies and Perennials, and was shocked to learn this Midtown Tulsa landmark has been damaged by fire.
"Everybody I know comes to Ted & Debbie’s, and it's about the best place around town,” says Baker.
Even the Wilson’s grandchildren are doing their part to help the store by selling drawings and books to raise money for their family. Multiple flower shops in town including Toni’s Flowers and Gifts and Marry Murray’s have offered to help out. One of the biggest needs right now is coolers to hold the flowers.
The fire department is still working on the cause. We’re told it could possibly be electrical-related. Ted and Debbie do have insurance on the property and plan on rebuilding.
