A Daughter’s Story

It all began when I was a teenager. My mother, Annabella, fell in love with a small flower stand nestled in an alleyway between Mill Valley Market and Throckmorton Creek. When she wasn’t working at Marin General Hospital, she would spend her weekends at the stand, crafting flower arrangements with an artistic flair and intuitive touch that quickly caught the town's attention. My childhood was filled with memories of racing by the flower shop on my bicycle (pedaling, not electric), grabbing a dollar for lunch, and receiving warm hugs and kisses from my mom.

As time passed, my parents bought the flower stand, and my mother began sharing her passion by teaching floral arrangements to the community and our entire family.

By 1990, the small stand had blossomed into a vibrant, bustling flower shop, handling weddings, events, and designs for every occasion. My father, Lars, after retiring from his construction business, took on the role of accountant, diving into a new world of sales tax filings, payroll, and P&L reports—tasks he handled with meticulous precision, all done by hand. Even today, as my husband and I strive to keep up with modern technology, I’m in awe of how amazing my father was.

Together, my parents cherished their days at the shop, the soothing sounds of flowing water and the lush greenery surrounding them, making it a peaceful place to share the joy of flowers with our beloved community. Over the years, the shop was voted Best of Marin, including in 2024, a testament to the love and dedication poured into it.

Our family’s flower shop, Mill Valley Flowers, has grown with the help of every family member, from behind the scenes buying and processing, to designing and delivering. My mom spent her life training and inspiring women, including me. Our award-winning design team shares in our passion for innovative design and community service, with many team members having been with us since before they could drive, now bringing their own children in to intern with us.

Beyond teaching me the art and joy of flowers, my mother also nurtured my passion

for event coordination and the importance of building strong relationships with customers and suppliers. We spent countless hours inspiring one another. My journey took me to Europe, where I pursued a design internship and earned my certified event planning degree at Sorbonne University. I eventually launched a successful events company in Paris, France, and later expanded to Barcelona, Spain—a venture that continues to thrive today.

When my father passed away and my mother’s grief became overwhelming, I returned home from Europe to be by her side, carrying on her legacy and expanding our local events team. Together, we have taken our family business to new heights.

For decades, Mill Valley Flowers has proudly sponsored local festivals and our family's passionate conservation efforts. The soothing sounds of the creek and the lush greenery surrounding our shop continue to make it a sanctuary of beauty and reflection. Though my mother is now retired and my father has passed on, their warmth and creativity remain a constant source of inspiration. I am deeply grateful for the confidence my mother placed in me to carry on our local family business. My husband, children, and the entire Mill Valley Flowers team remain dedicated to upholding the high standards, generosity of spirit, and love that define Mill Valley Flowers.

With Warmest Regards,
Wendy Niemenen
Annabella & Lars’ daughter