Story Tools

Email this story | Print this story

Indexes

Today's Stories

Last 7 Days

Top Blogs

• Two cited in fight at Tokay

• Family, friends rally for lodi teen battling cancer

• A heated situation

• Regional Roundup

November 21st, 2009

• Logbook

• Holiday drive spreads cheer to U.S. troops

• Galt High students want board to approve open-campus policy

• Poisoning victims remain hospitalized

• Expert: Half a mushroom cap can be deadly

• Tokay grad files claim over Lodi's Grape Bowl

• Lodi Middle School holds annual Turkey Trot

• Regional Roundup

• No motive or suspect in shooting

• Sacramento cop arrested for alleged kidnapping

November 20th, 2009

• Acampo woman killed

• Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff

• Advocacy groups sue East Bay Municipal Utility District over Pardee expansion

• Regional Roundup

• Galt plans to help residents with energy-efficient projects

• Stable southeast of Lodi approved

• One year after a heart attack, Lodi's Judy Mims thanks rescuers

• National Guard troops return home in time for the holidays

• Real estate market gets on more solid ground

November 19th, 2009

• Operation: Christmas

• Logbook

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Chase ends in crash

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

• Sales tax hike yields dividends: 5 new officers join Galt Police

• Lodi Unified School District board votes to cancel summer school for 2010

• Water surges in Mokelumne River yield more salmon

• Lodi City Council will consider redevelopment next June

• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22

• Corrections

November 18th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react

• Lodi man finds wife's ashes during police display of stolen property

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

November 17th, 2009

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

• Lodi Budget and Finance Committee to look into ways to save money on employee benefits

• Regional Roundup

• Decision on summer school expected at tonight's Lodi Unified School District meeting

• Clements gets free water rescue boat

• Redevelopment to be discussed by Lodi City Council again

• Court reinstates death penalty for killer of Lodi grad

• Clarification

November 16th, 2009

• Correction

• Public Meetings

• City Council 'triple-dog dared' to ditch cars, use Lodi buses

• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi

• Lodi's First Sip event showcases area wineries' latest vintages

• Three members of Lodi-area family fall ill after eating poisonous mushrooms they reportedly found at Lodi Lake

• Regional Roundup

November 14th, 2009

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

• Regional Roundup

• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

• Despite an increase in homeless students, school districts look to bolster enrollment, raise revenue

• A first look at 2009 vintages at Lodi's First Sip wine-tasting event

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• The country's mess is our fault (170)
• Obama is not a moderate (130)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (73)
• Public health care is a Christian option (67)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (50)
• The haves should help the have-nots (30)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• Government-run health care is a bad idea (25)
• Young woman fatally shot at Acampo home (18)
• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi (16)

ADVERTISEMENT

New Lodi business lets customers say it with fruit

DING DONG! The delivery man smiles and presents you with the most colorful bouquet you've ever seen.

Sweet scents rise from each part of the arrangement. It's irresistable. You can't take your eyes off it. In fact, you can't wait to take a big ol' bite.

Fruit bouquets are becoming the latest rage in sending sentiments. And on Monday, Lodians will be able to purchase them (packed with strawberries, bananas, pineapples, oranges, chocolate and more) from Edible Arrangements at 224 N. Ham Lane.

Heidi Sowers Hill, along with her husband Chris Hill, decided that they wanted to open a business that has mass appeal, something everyone can enjoy. As they researched, they found Edible Arrangements, a nationwide company specializing in fresh fruit baskets in the shape of flower bouquets.

The couple has been working to open the franchise location for several months and are still in the process of getting the store ready to open Monday morning at 8 a.m. They believe in it so much, they are opening on their two-year wedding anniversary.

"Last year we were in Cabo for our anniversary," Sowers Hill said.

"I'll do anything to get out of getting her a gift," Hill joked.

One of the main reasons for opening the store is the healthy aspect of the arrangements, Hill said. He pointed out that the artful presentations can go anywhere; whether a barbecue, an elegant affair or at a funeral wake, Edible Arrangements tend to fit right in.

The fruit used in each display will be delivered fresh daily and the arrangements can take anywhere from 45 minutes and up to create, depending on how complex they are. Some arrangements will be pre-made in the mornings and others will be made-to-order.

Another benefit to the franchise, Sowers Hill said, is if a customer wants to send a bouquet to a loved one in another state, the Lodi location can contact an Edible Arrangements store there. That way the fruit is always fresh.

Sowers Hill, who was born and raised in Lodi, comes from a background in the funeral services industry, and Hill works for the Elk Grove Police Department in communications. They currently live in Elk Grove, but they chose Lodi for their store because they plan to move back.

Prices range from $15 for a box of six dipped bananas all the way up to $239 for the "Delicious Party with Dipped Daisies," which is a large assortment of fruit with chocolate-dipped pineapple slices. Most arrangements come in a variety of sizes starting in the low $30 range.

Even though they haven't opened the doors on their Lodi location, Sowers Hill and Hill are planning their future expansion. They have a second store set to open in downtown Stockton this fall.

"If you're going to work long hard hours, you might as well do it for yourself," Sowers Hill said.

For more information, call 368-8875 or visit www.ediblearrangements.com.

Contact Business Editor Marc Lutz at marcl@lodinews.com.