PALESTINE — Just right outside of town underneath the shade of towering pines rests Toni’s Petals & Parties, Palestine’s newest, full-service florist and party venue.

“We specialize in contemporary and modern floral design,” said Theresa Bambeck, who co-manages the shop with Susan Rowe. “We offer a variety of services for almost any occasion.”

Owned by Paul Calhoun, Toni’s Petals & Parties is named after his late mother, according to Bambeck.

The pale yellow brick structure with white shutters sits picturesque on the well landscaped lawn, welcoming visitors. Ample parking is quaintly marked with handpainted wooden signs hanging on the pines.

Although the new shop offers a variety of fresh flower arrangements and greenery, it also offers the area a distinct place to hold special events to “make memories.”

The shop’s unique “Princess Parlor” turns every little girl’s birthday or tea party into a fairy tale when she gets a special visit from Cinderella or Snow White, Bambeck said.

In addition, Toni’s offers a serene setting for bridal and baby showers, birthday and holiday parties, organizational meetings and reserved luncheons for parties of up to 50 people.

“It’s a place where you can have baby showers, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners and things like that,” Bambeck said. “We can do everything from setting the cutlery-to-the nice table cloths-to- real plates and glassware, and even the full-service catering.

“We do provide the option for either full or partial catering during your event,” Bambeck said.

Toni’s also offers gift registry, holiday decor and gifts, and specialty food tray delivery. In addition, the shop offers a selection of fruit, snack, gourmet and specialty gift baskets as an alternative to floral arrangements.

“Our gift shop carries only the finest quality bath and body products, Greenleaf candles and scentsy products, and a little ‘bling’,” Bambeck smiled.

Since Toni’s opened at 955 FM 323 in Palestine on June 4, Bambeck has arranged three baby showers, a bridal shower and a birthday party.

“We have three tea parties already booked,” she said last week. “We have the perfect Cinderella, Snow White  and princesses.”

Recent Westwood High School graduate Maci Kimbrough dresses as Cinderella, while Palestine High School student Corieann Mason dresses as Snow White for the tea parties. WHS students Ashley Hall and Maddie Stauffer dress up as princesses.

At the tea parties, little girls are encouraged to wear their “princess” dress or they can choose to wear one of the many  available at the shop. The “princesses” then apply makeup on the little attendees, if they wish, and paint their fingernails. Attendees can choose to wear tiaras, feathers and other accessories as well as colorful jewelry from the wide selection available.

“There’s no place here in Palestine to have anything like the little tea parties,” Bambeck said. “With accommodations for up to 10 at the tea parties, all the little girls can get individual attention from Cinderella, Snow White and the princesses.”

For the tea parties, Bambeck makes fruit kabobs, sandwiches and tea, of course. The princesses teach the little girls how to place the napkin on their laps and how to properly hold their tea cups.

There’s special music during the tea parties and if time allows, Cinderella will read a story to the girls.

“We just have fun with it,” Bambeck said.

For birthday parties, Bambeck can bake and decorate the birthday cake according to the patrons’ wishes or they can bring their own cake.

Bambeck said Toni’s can accommodate a party a week, with two to three per weekend, depending on the scheduling.

“I love what I’m doing,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun. It’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun.” 

Currently, Bambeck is planning make-your-own mum classes, the first of which will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Toni’s co-manager (Susan Rowe) has created a Facebook page for the shop and is designing a website as well.

In addition to Bambeck and Rowe, Toni’s Petals & Parties employs four other people. The floral shop is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and always by appointment.

For more information, call 903-729-3408.