By Jolene FarleyHills native and 1967 Hills-Beaver Creek graduate Jim Bush, son of Bud and Ione Bush, was the subject of a Monday, Aug. 11, article in the Metro section of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Bush has assembled and sold floral bouquets at the Minneapolis Farmers Market for more than 30 years, according to the article. "He’s one of the well-known people on the streets selling fresh flowers," his father, Bud, said. "They (customers) come from all over."Bud Bush said his son told him he has sold 8,000 roses on a Friday and 12,000 more roses on a Saturday. "He knows how to sell. He’s got a big business."Jim Bush’s flamboyant and unique customer service style attracted the attention of Star Tribune writer Peg Meier. The Crescent asked the Star Tribune for permission to reprint the article in its entirety, but was told reprints are only allowed for members of the Associated Press. The Crescent is allowed, however, to publish some excerpts of the article for local readers. "All the time he’s joking, he deftly pulls roses from this table, mums from over there, delphiniums from that pile. One hand reaches for calla lilies, another for daisies," the article reads."More fun than watching the Veg-o-matic guy at the State Fair," one fan told Meier for the article. The article continued… "His hands never stop. Neither does his mouth. When children are around, he adds physical humor. A teacher took her students to the Farmers Market a while ago and asked afterwards what the students liked best. They said it was when the flower guy "kicked the bucket." Noisily, of course." Loyal customers Jim Ryder and Theresa Blabac, Maple Grove, added their opinions to the article. They’ve bought from Bush almost every summer weekend for four years."I don’t mind standing in line, because the show is as great as the flowers, and the flowers are fabulous," Ryder said. Peg Meier’s e-mail address is pmeier@startribune.com.
