Lasting Art

This is an extraordinary store for anything you want to make with a floral theme. Nestled appropriately in the floral district, Lasting Art sells artificial flowers only. But what silk flowers they are. Yes, outside they do have cheaper flowers you can get for 99 cents, $ 2. But inside, wow! You are talking about the mecca for silks, some so stunning you have to touch them to make sure they are not real. The prices for the higher end flowers reflect the quality. Peonies and roses can range to $ 8. But you are talking show stoppers, in color, in simulation of the real thing. The sheer range and variety here is dazzling. If you want to jazz up your home with a knock out bouquet, fancy up your Easter bonnet, or make a gift basket someone will treasure, this is the spot. Window dressers, this is the botanical garden of silk flowers.

4.5 stars…
One of the greatest things about NYC is how like businesses end up settling in the same area. In most parts of the country you would never set up a business right next to a directly competing business, you would go and find an area where there was no competition to attempt to create a monopoly in that area. Not in Manhattan. We’re not only talking about Koreatown, Chinatown, Curry Lane, and other cuisines and ethnic communities. If you want fabric, furs, jewelry, home décor, or flowers, just go to the block that is practically dedicated to it. It would be foolish not to open a business on the appropriate block or at least neighborhood. Where everyone in New York is about speed and efficiency, no one has time to travel out of their way to just browse one store when they can stick to a single block.
That’s where 28^th street between 6−7^th ave comes into play. The flower district. If you want real flowers, fake flowers, other plants, vases, or other related items, here’s where you start. I was looking for some artificial flowers for the apartment and went into every shop on the block. Many had some options but there was four stores were completely dedicated to nothing but fake flowers.
When averaging out price, selection, quality, and layout, Lasting Art was by far the best option. It was truly the Goldilocks of artificial flower shops. They had inexpensive flowers that still looked great as well as more expensive flowers that even felt like the real deal. Like most of the other shops on the block the service wasn’t much to speak of but everything was clearly laid out and marked so I didn’t need any hands-​on help. I was a little bothered seeing the $ 5 fee for purchases under $ 30 sign behind the register as my two bunches of flowers only added up to $ 11 but they didn’t charge me anything extra. This may be for credit card purchases or perhaps they don’t follow this rule religiously. Either way I was happy with this store and would certainly make this your first stop when looking for artificial flowers.

Competing to be the worst florist in NYC. And trying to get assaulted by customers, apparently.
Customer 1 (woman in front of us): Woman trying to return something she purchased. Owner refuses. He curses her out and tells her «there is no customer service here!» in crazy FOB english. Owner slams fists on table and throws objects around. Frustrated and probably scared woman throws her items in his face and leaves.
Customer 2 (us): wife and I arrive after being told on phone that they have a couple of items we are looking for. When we ask where the items are, man says «not here». Clearly, they are there. We try to check out with the items. Man refuses, «no, I will not sell them to you». We insist, because we spent $ 20 bucks taking a cab to get there in rush hour traffic. He says no credit cards despite 20 $ purchase. We leave 20 in cash and walk out.
Not sure if negative Unilocal review is sufficient course of action here. I should have punched this guy in the face. Horrendous, baffling experience – unimaginable at any florist in the city. There are tons of options in NYC, and therefore zero reasons to spend a dime here.