By Clyde Noel

Retail update

For quite a while, Carol Brudno has been trying to find the right buyer for her shop, Something Special, so she could retire. She eventually connected with Terry and David Jordan from England, and the shop is sold.

“I put a lot of love in this place, and I wanted to sell it to the right person,” Brudno said. “If you don’t like flowers you can’t own a flower shop.”

Terry is a multiskilled businesswoman with a love of flowers and a long history in the retail floral business, She has been a floral designer and floral art teacher for more than 30 years. Originally from Britain, she lived and worked in many countries as she traveled with David, who was a major in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

“After 28 years in the army we settled in London, but after a couple of years and the weather, we decided to have another venture and we decided to choose flowers,” David said. “We have family here in the area and decided to go into flowers.”

Terry has extensive training in “classical” European styles of flower arranging and designed the flowers for Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Belize in 1944.

She has taught classes to groups and individuals worldwide - in Singapore, Britain, Germany, Hong Kong, Northern Ireland and Belize.

“I enjoy tropical flowers and will feature them in the store,” Terry said. “Nothing drastic, but they add to the ambience,” she added

“Once we settle down, we will start a flower school and specialize in Japanese and European art. I have a teaching diploma in the Japanese floral art form Sogetsu ikebana.”

David will be working by Terry’s side in the shop, providing management expertise based on his extensive experience running organizations of various sizes around the world.

David’s business expertise will allow Terry to focus on the creative side of the business and develop client relationships with Something Special’s customers.

The Jordans have added a new floral designer to the shop, Liza Offenbacher. She has extensive experience working in the Bay Area, especially with miniature roses.

“After living in the tropics and London, the weather here is highly enjoyable,” David said.

“We look forward to carrying on the tradition at Something Special as a community focal point and a purveyor of high-quality flowers and gifts in downtown Los Altos.”