Melanie Gearhart from Gearhart’s Floral & Gifts in International Falls has recently been designated as an FTD master florist.

Only 15 percent of FTD member florists are qualified for the master florist designation, said Kelly Turner, FTD field business consultant covering North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.

“Gearhart’s Floral & Gifts is receiving the FTD master florist status as a result of its continued path of quality and service to its customers,” she said. “Melanie and the certified design team are very proud of this recognition and will continue to do their best to satisfy their customers for many years to come.”

Gearhart said she’s happy with the designation, but said the credit goes to more people than just herself.

“It’s a cool thing, but it’s not just me,” she said. “My staff is such a big part of what we do… I am very excited and I just love the shop.”

She said customers and community also a played a role in the designation. “We get supported so much from community, I feel like everybody is a part of it,” Gearhart said.

The recognition is earned through customer surveys, Gearhart said.

Gearhart’s Floral & Gifts has been in business at 532 Fourth St. for about five years

Turner called Gearhart’s Floral & Gifts a hallmark in the International Falls and surrounding communities. It specializes in “the freshest of flowers, great customer service and working with customers to create custom design pieces for any occasion,” she said. “Gearhart’s Floral & Gifts is an asset in International Falls and the surrounding communities and I hope you will take time to congratulate them on this highly recognized honor.”

Gearhart explained the recognition through FTD is earned through the FTD transworld delivery when people place orders via telephone or computer. “We’re filling those orders when people go to another flower shop out of town, or directly off the FTD site,” she said.

Since its inception in 1910, FTD has stood for innovation, leadership and quality in the floral industry across North America and around the world, said Turner.