The Slope Survey returns for its 12th installment with Amy Fonda Sara who owns and operates the community favorite Zuzu’s Petals on Fifth Avenue.
Born in Brooklyn, raised in Rockaway, went to college at 16. When I was in grad school, my bachelors older second cousin advised me to find something in my life that fed me and expressed me; something that would be mine no matter who left me or who died.
At the time I had no idea what he meant, I was headed to Long Island to teach art in the public schools.
Five years later having realized the pubic school system and I were not a good match, I was biding time managing a plant shop in Park Slope. Sadly…my cousin died suddenly, leaving his considerable estate to the children of his first cousin. There were 15 of us. In August of 1974, I bought the shop with the money he left me… Zuzu’s Petals.
So far, it’s been a wonderful life.
What brought you to Park Slope?
In 1972, my husband was a student at Brooklyn Law School. We had friends renting cheap apartments in funky old Park Slope brownstones, and we decided to move into one… Half a floor at 926 President Street between 8th Avenue and the Park for $200. He left a year and a half later, I stayed.
What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?
I have a lifetime of Park Slope moments but:
Best memorable moment: Buying my flowershop on 7th Avenue in November of 1974.
Worst memorable moment: My flowershop burning down in August of 2004.
Second best memorable moment: Re-opening on 5th Avenue in November of 2004 with the help of customers and friends.
Describe your community superpower.
Keeping a Mom and Pop business open for 48 years… without the Pop.
If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be?
Reasonable commercial rents so small business could thrive.
What do you thin Park Slope will look like in 10 years?
4th Avenue will be lined with wall-to-wall luxury high rises.
There will be chain stores punctuated by empty storefronts on our commercial streets.
What are you reading, would you recommend it?
Our neighbor Paul Auster’s latest: “4321”
“Beneath a scarlet sky.” Everyone should read it.
John Lewis… “Walking with the Wind”
Re-reading anything by Colette
What is your greatest extravagance?
Buying flowers at the flower market that I love and may not ever sell.
If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?
Boulder, Colorado
Who is your hero, real or fiction?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Last Word, What’s is turning you on these days?
I am blessed with an incredible team of women who have made a space in their lives to work in my flowershop. Their energy, creativity, strength, intelligence, humanity, compassion, empathy, and openness give me hope for the future. I love being around them.
