Fans braved the cold to experience Derrick Rose’s heartfelt pop-up, “Rose’s Flower Shop,” in downtown Chicago (Photo Credit: Marshelle Sanders).
On a chilly Thursday at 8 a.m., long-time Derrick Rose fans started lining up for the opening of his Rose’s Flower Shop at Tortoise Supper Club downtown.
Even in 35-degree weather, the line for this Chicago-born NBA star’s pop-up shop stretched from the Dearborn Bridge down Kinzie to the shop’s doors on State Street. They were bundled up in their heavy coats and sipping hot drinks as they eagerly waited for noon when the doors would open for a chance to meet the NBA star.
“I came today because it’s my mom’s birthday, and I’m sending her some flowers. I’ve been here since 8 a.m.,” one fan said.
When noon hit, a security guard came out to give quick instructions to the first group before they headed inside. Once they were in, event host Norman Hutchinson greeted everyone and gave them the rundown on the “D. Rose Experience.”
“Right over there is the flower shop,” Hutchinson said. “Derrick Rose wanted to give back to his fans, so when you go in, you can pick four roses, arrange them however you like, and send them to someone you care about. It’s all thanks to D. Rose wanting to give back to Chicago.”
Once you assemble your flower arrangement and give the floral designer the address to send your flowers to, customers get to head over to the other side of the room, where you’ll meet the man and the florist of the hour—D. Rose. Fans got a chance to chat with him and take a special Polaroid picture with him to take home as a keepsake.
One fan, Laronze Hardie, shared a deeply personal connection to the event. He had traveled from Kentucky with his family.
“I’m originally from Chicago, 83rd Street. When my daughter was born, I named her after Derrick Rose—not literally, but her middle name is LaRose because my name starts with LA. She’s in the car now with her mom and my son.”
Hardie said, “I came to get some roses, see him and shake his hand. We’re from the same area (the Southside), which makes it all worth it. It’s a blessing. The legacy of Derrick Rose is bittersweet. If you know his story, especially coming from the same side of town, it hits differently. He’s so Chicago—it’ll surely make you smile and cry.”
Another fan added, “I came to see the pop-up, for the flowers, and to thank him for all his time here in Chicago.”
What a homecoming it will be for the former NBA player who hails from Englewood on the South Side and is the youngest player to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award as a member of the Chicago Bulls.
On Saturday, Jan. 4, the Bulls will pay tribute to Derrick Rose, one of the most iconic players in franchise history, with a meaningful ‘Derrick Rose Night,’ The team will face off against the New York Knicks, one of his former teams, at the United Center, with the gates opening at 5 p.m.
This special night will celebrate Rose’s legendary career and enduring impact on the Bulls and the city of Chicago. There will be unique moments where Rose, his family and former teammates will be honored throughout the game.
It will also mark his retirement from the NBA, the conclusion of an unforgettable career. With his wildly successful pop-up flower shop and other ventures, it is the symbolic start of a new chapter in a remarkable life.
Here are more clips from Rose’s Flower Shop event:
Fans braved 30-degree temperatures for a chance to meet their hero, Derrick Rose (Photo Credit: Marshelle Sanders).
A fan shows off her smart phone cover and custom nail job as a testament to her Derrick Rose fandom (Photo Credit: Marshelle Sanders).
Derrick Rose’s son is among a group of people entering the pop-up flower shop (Photo Credit: Marshelle Sanders).
Inside the pop-up shop where customers picked out their roses (Photo Credit: Marshelle Sanders).
The author shares her Polaroid selfie with Derrick Rose (Photo courtesy of Marshelle Sanders).