New shop is Serendipity

The business name, Serendipity Floral, perfectly explains the owner's circumstances when she opened the shop early this year. The owner also hopes it will apply to her customers.

Serendipity means to find something you didn't know you were looking for, owner Maureen Anderson said.

That's what happened when Anderson went back to school at the College of DuPage. Anderson, who has always loved gardening, was drawn to horticulture classes.

"I wanted to do something I really enjoyed," she said.

While working as an office manager for a sales firm, she attended classes where she learned design and business relating to horticulture. She started freelancing and doing weddings and worked at four floral shops before launching her own.

Serendipity Floral, at 201 E. Irving Park Road in Roselle, concentrates on the day-to-day flowers and gifts.

The shop features gardening tools, books, dried flowers, silks and the Loomwick candle line. Another highlight is baby gifts including blankets, frames, books and plush toys.

For the sweet tooth, Anderson, 50, also carries sweets from Door County Confectionery.

Anderson, who grew up in Rolling Meadows, resides in Bartlett with husband, Roger, a remodeling contractor.

The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call (630) 893-5422 or check out www.serendipityflorist.net.

Service excellence: The Five Keys to Service Excellence is the title of an upcoming seminar hosted by the Bensenville Chamber of Commerce.

Robert Morris College sponsors the seminar, where nationally renowned speaker and business author Joe Takash will educate on the tangible how-tos for improving bottom line business through top line behaviors.

The session takes place at 11 a.m. Dec. 6 at Monty's Banquets, 703 S. York Road, Bensenville.

The cost is $20. For more, call (630) 860-3800.

Hot game in Glen Ellyn: Glen Ellyn's Learning Express is ranked one of the nation's top retailers of a popular family game Ruckus.

Randy Horn, owner of the Learning Express at 900 Roosevelt Road, said the game is one of the few games where 6-year-olds, teenagers and parents can all play together.

The fast-moving card game sells for about $10.