Larry Lucas Celebrates 35 years

Larry Lucas will be celebrating his 35th year at the Atlanta Market Center on January 8, 2012, and recently signed a three year lease on a new showroom at the Atlanta Apparel Mart.

Lucas began his career in Florida in 1968 as a florist and buyer, moving to Atlanta in 1969 as a buyer, florist, and gift consultant and on to his own store Larry Lucas Ltd in Atlanta in 1970. His retail store won many national and local awards and was known by the  nickname  Bloomies of the South, as he was always ahead of the times.

He started bridal fairs, a live plant shop, monogram products, and began seminars on gourmet foods and flowers. Lucas spoke to hundreds of groups throughout the South for which he refused remuneration, but gratuities went to the organization for the Prevention of Blindness in Georgia. During one such presentation he met the wife of the newly elected governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter. For eight years he did the flowers, gifts, etc., for the Georgia Governors Mansion.

As a result of seminars and TV appearances on channels 2 and 5 in Atlanta, Lucas was encouraged to write his first book "Fun with Food & Flowers."  Lucas also offered seminars on numerous subjects for the Atlanta Market Center and still lectures there often.

That introduction to the Atlanta Market was how Lucas' new future started. He opened his first show space in 1977 selling gifts, gourmet foods, and flowers. He began selling children's merchandise in 1983 and was one of the first to sell children's accessories and gifts at the market. Over the years, he has had showroom space in all three Atlanta Marts. He has also had a permanent showroom in the Dallas Market Center for 29 years.

Ever active, Lucas plays volleyball three nights a week and for 10 years has taught dancing  on cruise ships around the world. He is also active in his Methodist church. For information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .