The PEAR TREE

Franz Gallery in Florida, USA

Situated in Cocoa, Florida, the Pear Tree is the first Franz Gallery in the United States.

Tami Durkee, owner of the Pear Tree which is seated in a beautiful tourist town attraction, firmly believes that smile is the surest way to help business grow and flourish given the sluggish economy.

She welcomes every customer with her smile as bright as the sun in Florida.

• Tami and her husband John

The Pear Tree has sold Franz pieces for many years. It has collaborated with the company in giving many events, such as a floral arrangement course, tea parties, and designer signing parties.

In those signing parties, many Franz fans brought their beloved pieces and waited in a long line for their turn to meet and chat with Franz designers, who would then sign their porcelain pieces for them.

As revealed by Tami Durkee, the reason why she decided to turn her store into a Franz Gallery is that she can provide a wider selection for her customers cum Franz aficionados.

Tami likes animal-themed Franz items very much, which she often recommends to her customers.

The showcases in her store present many beautiful porcelain pieces featuring giraffes, birds and hippos, which undoubtedly explains that Tami takes much pleasure in Franz items and likes to share them with others as well.

Amusing anecdotes between Tami Durkee and Franz:

What was Tami’s first impression of Franz?

Tami has been selling Franz pieces for nine years. She learned of Franz from an advertisement. At first, Tami bought six sets of cups and saucers to decorate her store.

When receiving the items, she was amazed at their high quality, delicate texture and alluring beauty. Instantly, she felt in love with Franz porcelain.

• An autograph session held at the Pear Tree

What made Tami decide to become a Franz Gallery?

Tami revealed that she turned her store into a Franz Gallery for her customers. She said, “My customers have been so loyal and supportive and helped my business grow. Being a Franz Gallery allows me to offer my customers a wider selection and some items not available elsewhere. I am humbled and honored to have been selected and extremely grateful for the confidence Franz and his team have expressed in my business.”

Anything interesting happened or what impressed Tami the most when she sold Franz?

What impressed Tami most was a special morning. She recalls that it was a signing party held in the store, where Franz designer Nina would sign the items brought by customers. As Tami and Nina arrived at the store, there was a large crowd on the sidewalk. There was literally a line of people carrying blue Franz boxes and that line extended out the door onto the sidewalk and around the side of the building! The excitement and response of customers was overwhelming. Tami firmly believes it was the biggest exciting Welcome to America she experienced.

• A line of people carrying blue Franz boxes and waiting for Nina to sign porcelain items

What has Tami done to promote Franz?

Franz is featured in every advertisement we have ever run. We hosted a local floral designer for our customers to learn to create floral arrangements using Franz vases. We have been privileged to host four Franz artists at the store and promoted this with direct mailing to our collectors and with magazine and newspaper advertising. We participated in Bridal events showing Franz. And since I love Franz jewelry, my staff and I wear our Franz jewelry every day in the store and when we go out on the town.

• An autograph session held at the Pear Tree

What is your favorite Franz collection or piece? And why?

The purple basil cup and saucer and spoon. It’s the one with the leaf that wraps over your thumb. It’s really a very simple design. It’s the piece that started my love of Franz. And I really love all the animal vases, and mystic monkey saucer, the Rainforest vase I gave my husband for Christmas……Do I have to pick just one?