Scott Frederick Falconer Jr. may have been one of the shortest attendees at a ceremony that saw his family’s multigenerational flower shop receive an honorary street name, but by the end of the event on Saturday he stood tall as the day’s surprise hero.
When a string pulled by his grandfather and shop owner Fred Falconer and North Hempstead Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte failed to reveal the new street sign, young Scott was hoisted into service by his father, Scott Sr., and U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) and tore the paper from S.F. Falconer’s Way, unveiling the sign to an appreciative and applauding audience.
Founded by Fred Falconer’s grandfather, Simon Frederick, S.F. Falconer Florist Inc. originated as a greenhouse at the Harry Guggenheim estate. It has served Port Washington and its surrounding areas for over three generations and 100 years, having celebrated the milestone last year.
“That greenhouse is a testament to…his family’s long history and enduring connection to the Port Washington community,” Dalimonte said in her remarks at the ceremony. “Fred has continued with the legacies of his father and grandfather and made them his own.”
The ceremony was co-sponsored by the Town of North Hempstead and the Port Washington Fire Department, of which Fred Falconer and his father were longtime members.
In brief comments to the gathered audience, the owner thanked the community and his shop’s employees.
“Today, to have the street named in honor of my family is very special for myself and for my family,” Fred Falconer said. “I know my grandfather and father are looking down and are very, very proud of their legacy and this great honor.”
The morning’s events concluded with a program by members of the Red Stocking Revue, a fund-raiser which Fred Falconer had supported for many years. Members of the troupe performed their version of “Seven Little Girls (Sitting In The Back Seat)” by Paul Evans, and a parody of the title song from the musical “Little Shop of Horrors,” with lyrics touting S.F. Falconer’s products and services.
After the ceremony and posing for pictures with Dalimonte, Suozzi and other elected officials, the most senior Falconer and his son changed from summer blazers into their signature green polos, ready to head back to work at the shop.
“Time to get back to business,” Falconer said with a smile.
