If there was a bright spot to the Covid-19 pandemic, it might be that Stefanie Apple, owner of POME florals in Peekskill, founded a sustainable business that she’s passionate about in a community that she loves. Entrepreneur Apple also co-founded YAY! markets, the popular maker-space event held on the riverfront in May and December, a year after relocating here from New York City.

In early 2020, Apple moved to Peekskill from Brooklyn, where she ran Pilates and floral businesses, to temporarily support her mom who was undergoing medical treatment. “Just as I settled in, the pandemic hit, forcing the closure of my businesses in New York City, like many others at that time. Realizing the uncertain future of my businesses, I made the decision to officially move to Peekskill and start POME florals while continuing to assist my mother.”

Before officially launching POME florals in Peekskill, which uses sustainable and organic flowers and materials, Apple conducted a trial flower share, where she connected with local farms and delivered weekly blooms to New York City and locally. “My mother and I collaborated on creating flower arrangements, engaging with the flower share participants via Zoom every Friday. Not only did this lift her spirits during her treatments, but it also became a sweet memory for us both,” she said.

“Peekskill is an arts community,” said the former fashion photographer and graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. “I didn’t see the type of floral design that I do reflected here, and while I didn’t come to Peekskill for floral design, it’s where I landed. I loved the community and energy here.”

It didn’t take Apple, 40, long to establish herself. “I wanted to lean into my new community and really get to know it. ” Besides running her business, she can be found at the Farmer’s Market, offering workshops on sustainability, and teaching Pilates. Among her biggest accomplishments was the 2021 founding of the YAY! markets, which is open for Mother’s Day and the December holidays.

“I started the markets because when I came to Peekskill, I couldn’t believe that it was an artist town but had no holiday market. We were the only river town that didn’t have one. So I said to myself, I’m going to make it happen.’ ”

She asked colleague Fred Camino of Creative in Motion to be her co-founder. Now in its fourth year, Yay! markets has grown from an initial 12 vendors to 50 or 60 last December. “It doubles every year,” Apple said.

Admittedly, an undertaking this large takes a lot of time, but Apple said it’s a passion project that has introduced her to many great people. “I also wanted to highlight and create space for the great organizations in our community.” Last year, she added, the Rotary distributed free children’s books, and other organizations helped out, too, including a wrapping station from Remake, Retake.

While creativity has always been who Apple is, floral design is a second-career. After working in the fashion industry and as a freelance photographer, she wanted a break from the rigors of what she called a male-dominated business defined by paperwork and legalese. “I took a break and thought about what I loved and what I could do forever.” She came up with floral design.

Growing up on Long Island, Apple frequented its beaches and connected with the outdoors, a gift, she said, she received from her mother. “My mom taught me to love nature and to be aware of flowers,” She said she also inherited her entrepreneurial spirit from her mom, who owned a coffee business on Long Island.

To find classes in floral design, Apple Googled “flower schools,” and landed on Flower School New York, which was near her Manhattan apartment at the time. She completed the program, was certified in 2019 as a floral designer, and began freelancing for other florists on large events.

When she relocated to Peekskill and the pandemic hit, she used the down time to find flower farms in the Hudson Valley. Knowing who the organic farmers were would provide a stable resource for flowers for her designs, and widen her connection with community. “I was craving community,” she said with a smile.

“Because of Covid, it was nice that I could visit farms, foster relationships, and support them in their time of need,” said Apple. “I’ve now connected with about 30 small farms in the Hudson Valley area and have a relationship with each farmer. It was fun to hang out on the farms, and get to know their sustainable practices.”

Back in Peekskill, she began participating at the Farmers Market when it reopened. “It was my first real connection to the community,” she said. She enjoyed selling her arrangements, meeting shoppers, and discussing her philosophy of sustainable and organic design. “The community was open to what I was doing and people were excited about it.”

Apple is passionate about using organic flowers in her designs, because she said, among other things, the chemicals sprayed on flowers are so toxic they can be harmful to the touch. For example, vase water from non-organic bouquets is poured down sinks and contaminates local watersheds, she added. She’s happy to offer her organic arrangements and large floral installations to her corporate, event, and wedding clients, in addition to the public.

“It’s important to be passionate about things you care about,” she added. “I care about sustainability. Given what’s going on in the world, the environment, and the economy, I’m trying to do better for the earth, for people, and to support small farms.

“I also love creating space and connecting with community.” Her advice to others: “Do what makes you feel good  We get one life. Do what feels important to you. It gives you purpose and is fulfilling.”

Always the entrepreneur, Apple also founded a co-working group that meets Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Peekskill Coffee Shop. She initially began co-working with Kate White, a muralist and owner of Happy Places NY in Peekskill. “We would meet up on Tuesdays. We were working at home and wanted connection.” After publicizing the group online, eight people showed up to work together. “The feedback has been great. We talk about work and have a roundtable of ideas and connections. It’s also great for networking,” she said, something she hopes can open her business to new markets.

Seated around the table at Peekskill Coffeehouse on a Tuesday morning were, in picture above, from far left Apple, with a hat, and continuing clockwise Kristina who moved to Peekskill four years ago and said for the first couple of years said it was hard to connect. “It’s nice to get out. Connection is important to bounce off ideas and get insight.”

Next to her is Citlali who arrived in Peekskill nearly a year ago. She is trained in social work and is now a practicing psychotherapist. She uses elemental shamanism, hypnosis and ketamine therapy to expand consciousness in her practice.

Nina is next to Citlali and she said it’s good to connect with lovely ladies and she gets lots of laughs and positive experiences by being a part of the group.

Kelly moved to Peekskill in 2020. “Community is important and through our group I’ve met so many people and am able to find out what goes on in town, including recommendations on where to eat and services available.”

Dayna has been living in Peekskill for six years. “I felt isolated working from home. Co-working and coming together here once a week to share suggestions and opportunities,” is what keeps her a part of the group.

Next to Dayna is Kate who started co-working with Apple for two weeks then invited others. “Working from home full-time it’s helpful getting out with other women to bounce things off and get help with business decisions… e.g. how to structure websites and get business answers. My son is three and a half months now and I started with our group when I was seven months pregnant.”

Jessie at top corner of picture next to Apple lived for twelve years in Brooklyn by way of Chicago and came to Peekskill last summer partially because of its diversity and the location. “I met Kristina Kollar through her jazz music and she had me reach out to Apple about coming here to meet. Here I found women who I can connect to in creativity and be inspired. I’m involved in market research and practical business matters. Here we can share creative information and social values – then becoming friends.”

Apple’s wish for Peekskill is to provide more points of entry for small business. “We’re an artist town and I wish there was more space for people to start small,” she said.

Apple named her business POME florals because the word “pome” means fleshy fruit, such as an apple, which reflects her last name. Interestingly, she goes by Apple as her first name.

She invites anyone wanting to create space and connect with the community to reach out to her. “People took me in with open arms and I’m happy to do that for others.”  Find her on Instagram at  POME_By_Apple, and on her website.

Her motto? “Share the love with flowers and connect with community.”

Continue reading below for news from the sponsor of this story.

For the first time in its century long history, the Peekskill Rotary Club is participating in a Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraiser according to Club President Richard Swann.

“I am extremely excited for this special fundraiser benefitting the Make-A- Wish Foundation. This is the first time I can remember our club participating in this type of fundraiser and Marisol Jimenez has done an incredible job organizing this event from the start.”

Make-A-Wish provides wishes to children with critical illnesses. The hope is the recipient of the wish will be encouraged to continue to fight past what ails them and give them hope when they may be feeling hopeless.

The Peekskill Rotary Club is helping raise money to assist a local child receive a wish. Each wish  costs approximately $10,000.

Cortlandt Colonial Restaurant 5714 Albany Post Road Cortlandt Manor is hosting the event from 12:30 to 4:30pm on April 6. Tickets are $75 per person which includes food and open bar. There will be a DJ, dance performances and a silent auction with tremendous prizes.

“Seating is limited so get your tickets early. Everybody is welcome to attend and have a great time for a worthy cause. If for some reason you are unable to attend and would still like to contribute, a monetary donation can be made to the Peekskill Rotary Club Foundation. All proceeds from this event will be going to Make-A-Wish,” said Swann.