Lavender Lane actually started more than six years ago as a cut flower and herb farm in Fishersville, Virginia.  Our original intent was to raise beautiful herbs and cut flowers to sell at a local farmers market and to wholesale vendors.  We did put about one-third of an acre under cultivation for a couple of years and sold a wide variety of beautiful flowers and herbs at the Staunton Farmers' Market.

However, as our flowers grew, so did our children, and a Saturday Farmer's Market no longer fit well in our family plan.  We also realized that in order to grow a business, we needed more of a year-round venture.

After more than six months of careful research, Lavender Lane switched its focus and became a gift basket business.  Susan Lendermon, the principal business owner, had retail experience from summer jobs during college in gift shops on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, as well as helping her parents with their own gift shop for  several years.  Along with a Masters in Public Administration that included several business management courses and a lifelong passion for shopping, Susan decided to take the plunge into the world of retail.

Designing a gift basket includes many of the same elements of creating a beautiful and balanced flower bouquet, so there are some similarities between the two businesses.  Also, the end product in both is designed to please the recipient.  All of our baskets are created with a focus on a beautiful design incorporating lovely products that will truly delight the recipient.

A real love for tea combined with a background in teaching history motivated Susan to bring tea into her business.  We strive to carry a selection of high quality tea and tea accoutrements.  Susan Lendermon is also available as a speaker on a number of tea-related topics, including the History of Tea, its Health Benefits, the Different Types of Tea, Brewing a Perfect Cuppa, Tea Tastings, Tea and Friendship, and the Role of Women in Tea's History.  In 2006, she received certification from the Specialty Tea Institute.

For more information on our business, or to contact Susan on speaking, please write or call:  Susan Lendermon, Lavender Lane Gifts and Tea, (540)887-7528, lavender@lavlane.com.