It appears that former Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has temporarily traded the floor for a flower shop, at least for one memorable day.
On Thursday afternoon, the NBA legend, who hung up his sneakers this past fall, teamed up with West Loop florist Planks & Pistils to create a charming pop-up flower shop at Tortoise Supper Club in the River North neighborhood . Hundreds of enthusiastic fans lined up for hours to get free bouquets of roses and take photos with their sports idol, dressed in an apron.
This floral extravaganza is part of Rose’s series of special appearances this week, leading up to the highly anticipated “Derrick Rose Night” at the United Center, where the Bulls will face the New York Knicks on Saturday night. Many fans braved the bitter cold, determined to celebrate their Chicago hero. They described it as both inspiring and accessible.
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“You can’t hate him,” said Larry Taylor, 32, who came from Englewood and was first in line after arriving at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
A supporter since high school, Taylor noted that Rose is not only “the best in Chicago” but also notable for his history of resilience in the face of injuries and setbacks. “He’s a very genuine man,” continued Taylor, now a Garfield Ridge resident. “A direct and honest guy.”
The exterior of the venue was beautifully decorated with flowers, greenery and playful signs. One of the signs read, “Stop and Smell the Roses,” setting the perfect tone for the event.
Upon entry, guests had the chance to choose from an impressive array of more than 1,200 red roses, accompanied by small bouquets of baby’s breath. Cheerful staff members packaged the flowers and arranged for their free delivery within a 15-mile radius. Attendees then wrote heartfelt notes to their loved ones before meeting with Rose for digital photos and a treasured Polaroid.
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“I was honestly shaking,” admitted Matthew Phan, 20, of Logan Square, who sent the flowers to his mother. “It was so cool. His hands are so soft.” Accompanied by his date, Sadelle Aburto, Phan credited Rose with brightening up his childhood during difficult times at home. “I was watching his videos and I felt happy again. Coming here really touched my heart.”
John Caleb Pendleton, owner of Planks & Pistils, expressed how this fleeting event highlighted the deep affection Chicagoans have for Rose. “People really love this man,” remarked Pendleton, operating his flower shop within the Drip Collective coffee space. “We got to meet him. He was super cool. He’s very approachable. That’s why everyone loves him; he embodies the spirit of Chicago.”
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For Pendleton, giving the gift of flowers is a meaningful act that encourages reflection. “Flowers inspire you to take a moment and appreciate their beauty here and now,” he said. “It’s a break from a world that relentlessly pushes us to move forward at full speed.”
Adolpho Rodriguez, 28, of Milwaukee, shared that he planned to send his mother flowers. He took second place in line after waking up early and arriving in Chicago at 5 a.m. “Derrick Rose is my favorite player of all time,” Rodriguez proclaimed, revealing that he modeled his own style of basketball after the iconic athlete. “His influence pushes me to be the best version of myself every day.”
