A Rash Decision Leads to Love in Bloom

By Sharon White | Photography by Justin Borja

If Verba Rose Woods hadn’t had an allergic reaction to the detergent she was using to wash dishes, there may not be a Woods Flowers.

Verba and her husband, Cullen Woods, owned The Chicken Inn in Temple between 1939 and 1950. It was a popular restaurant, often crowded with busloads of hungry soldiers who had come to listen to the big bands play at the nearby Kyle Hotel.

But when Verba had an adverse reaction to the only commercial dish soap available at the time, she decided to move on to another business endeavor—floral designing.

“My grandmother was a true entrepreneur,” says Carol Hajda, Verba’s granddaughter and current owner of Woods Flowers. “After my grandmother left the restaurant, she enrolled in the elite Buddy Benz School of Floral Design. She finished the program in 1950 and opened her own flower shop, which was originally located on Avenue G.”

Granddaughter Carol literally grew up among the blossoms. “I started going to design shows with my grandmother when I was 6 years old,” she says. “I carried arrangements down the runway for all the designers to view. I always loved doing that, because it meant I would get a new dress for the occasion.” When Carol was 10, she created her very first floral arrangement to be sold in her grandmother’s shop. Later that day a man came in and bought it. “It was a very proud moment for me,” Carol says.

Not only was Carol’s grandmother in the floral business, but her paternal grandparents were owners of the Robinson Road Greenhouse near Waco. Carol divided her time between helping her grandfather grow poinsettias, cyclamen and chrysanthemums in Waco and delivering flowers and fashioning corsages in Temple. Carol jokingly declares, “I’ve been a bloomin’ idiot my entire life.”

 

In a chance encounter in 1977, Carol went to visit a delivery boy who worked for her grandmother, and she met Frank Hajda—who was also a delivery boy—but for the competing flower shop in town, A-1 Florist. The two hit it off, and soon Frank was hired to work for Verba too. He also began dating Carol.

“Frank and I were delivering flowers on Valentine’s Day in 1980,” Carol recalls. “We were in his truck. I was looking for something in his glove box and accidentally stumbled upon a small velvet box.” She didn’t mention anything to Frank. Later that evening, he proposed.

That same year, Verba Woods sold her flower shop to Carol, who was then a 22-year-old education major at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Carol and Frank have owned Woods Flowers ever since.

It’s safe to say that if Verba Woods had never gotten an itchy rash from dish soap, there would not be a Woods Flowers—and Carol and Frank may not have gotten together.

These days Carol teaches eighth-grade social studies at Travis Science Academy and Frank manages the flower shop.

“Last night, when we got home,” Carol confesses, “I was grading papers while Frank tied 52 bows.”

“We work together as partners,” says Frank. “And we have fun.” But Carol is quick to add, “I like to tell Frank that he’s the manager—but I’m still the boss!”

Woods Flowers
1415 W. Avenue H, Temple
Facebook.com/WoodsFlowers/

Flowers and What They Symbolize
Carnations: fascination and new love
Daffodils: good luck and happiness
Gardenias: purity, joy and love
Gerbera Daisies: beauty, innocence and purity
Irises: faith, hope and wisdom (dark purple represents royalty)
Orchids: beauty, luxury, strength and exotic seduction
Peonies: romance, prosperity and bashfulness
Peruvian Lilies: friendship and devotion
Pink Asters: sensitivity, charm and love
Ranunculus: charm, attraction and radiance
Red Chrysanthemum: love, passion and romance
Sunflowers: warmth and happiness
Tulips: perfect love, comfort and warmth
White Lilies: beauty, class and style
Source: FTD Flowers

Rose Colors and Their Meanings
If you decide to send roses to a loved one this Valentine’s Day, here’s how to add another layer of meaning to the gift. Discover what message the actual rose color you choose is communicating. You may be very surprised.
Dark pink: gratitude and appreciation
Green: life and vitality
Ivory: charm, thoughtfulness
Light pink: grace, admiration
Orange: fascination
Peach: modesty
Purple or lilac: enchantment
Red: love and romance
Salmon: desire and excitement
White: purity
Yellow: friendship, gladness
Source: Teleflora