A Village Staple Uprooted: Why Sherwood Florist is Leaving Fair Oaks
For over half a century, the sweet scent of fresh-cut Holland flowers and the warm smile of Les Carter have been constants in the heart of Fair Oaks. Since September 1971, Sherwood Florist has been more than just a shop; it has been the backdrop for our community’s most intimate moments—from first dates to final farewells.
But soon, that familiar storefront will stand empty. After 54 years, this village fixture is moving, and the reason should serve as a wake-up call for everyone who loves our historic district: the parking crisis has become unsustainable.
A Cautionary Tale for the Village
Sherwood Florist didn't decide to leave because of a lack of customers. In fact, Les Carter was recently voted the Best Florist in Sacramento County. The business is thriving, but the logistics of operating in the village are not.
Between the lack of accessible spots for quick pickups and the difficulty for delivery vans to navigate the congested streets, the very charm that makes Fair Oaks unique is currently suffocating its oldest tenants. If a multi-award-winning business that has survived five decades can no longer make it work here, we must ask ourselves: who is next?
The Spring Pressure Cooker
This move comes at a critical juncture. As the Fair Oaks Park renovations ramp up this spring, the influx of visitors will put an even greater strain on our limited infrastructure.
Increased Traffic: New park amenities will draw hundreds of additional visitors daily.
Competition for Space: Without a cohesive parking strategy, residents, shoppers, and park-goers will be fighting for the same few curbside inches.
Economic Impact: When customers can't find a place to park, they don't just circle the block—they go elsewhere.
A Call to Action
The departure of Sherwood Florist is a "canary in the coal mine." We cannot afford to be a community that celebrates its history while ignoring the modern infrastructure needed to sustain it.
FOVEC is committed to working with the county and local stakeholders to find creative, long-term parking solutions. Whether it’s improved signage, designated short-term zones, or shared-use agreements, the time to act is now—before the spring rush turns a difficult situation into a permanent exodus of our local treasures.
Let’s keep the Village blooming. Join us at our next community meeting to discuss how we can solve the parking challenge together.