“My mission is always fresh and we strive for perfection. It’s important to give people a quality product.”
Riding their bikes along the rugged trails around Kingman, her former home, Flagstaff Fruit Creations owner Burtell met Barbara “Be” Tarino and the two immediately bonded.
“Robyn is very sweet and hysterically funny. She always makes me laugh on the trails,” said Tarino. “I saw that she was struggling with her work, so I asked her to come work for me at Kingman Fruit Creations.”
“When Robyn’s husband accepted a new job in Flagstaff, I told her that I would train her and share all my trade secrets so she could open her own store,” said Tarino. “‘Since Flagstaff is so much bigger than Kingman, why not do what I’m doing?’ I told her. I also taught her son, Cody.”
That convinced Burtell to open Flagstaff Fruit Creations in Kachina Square Shopping Center, where her business neighbors were pretty excited.
“My husband bought me a Flagstaff Fruit Creation basket and it was wonderful. It had chocolate dipped strawberries, apples, pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew, along with other fruit,” said Amy Herrington, who owns Babies to Kids, along with Book Nest Toy Store and Paint Your Own Pottery. “It was so delicious and beautifully presented. Robyn has such a lovely store and she is so personable. I’m so glad to have her as a neighbor here.”
The holiday season was a busy one for Burtell, but she pulled through successfully with the help of her son, Cody. “He is so amazing, a hard worker and works whenever I need him,” she said. “During Christmas week, we were working 13-14 hours a day.”
The looks on people’s faces when they see her bouquets of fruit, including chocolate-dipped strawberries, is what Burtell says convinced her to open her store. “It’s so fun to make something pretty and give it to my customers. I always tell my son that our creations have to be pretty and perfect.”
“As it has turned out, Robyn is teaching me some new techniques such as her floral bouquets,” said Parina. “Her shop is colorful, welcoming and so cute.”
Featuring gourmet white, milk and semi-dark chocolate, Burtell uses the freshest fruits available and will go to great lengths to find them. “My mission is always fresh and we strive for perfection. It’s important to give people a quality product. I’ve always liked arranging flowers, so creating these arrangements is so fun for me.”
Party Platters for Game Day, Valentine Hearts and Kisses, Birthday Dipped Fruit Platter, Love and Romance Dipped Strawberries and gift boxes are some examples from the menu at Flagstaff Fruit Creations.
Burtell and Tarino continue to cycle together and have teamed up for road bike rides, with distances up to 75 miles and several 50-milers in San Diego.
Flagstaff became Burtell’s home in July 2022. “We lived in Kingman for 15 years. When our youngest graduated from high school in Kingman, my husband, Ray, accepted a job with W. L. Gore & Associates as chemical engineer. I opened Flagstaff Fruit Creations in September that year.”
Outside of his career in theater lighting, Cody, 24, enjoys working with his mom when he can and recently accepted a part-time volunteer position with Theatrikos Theatre Company.
“My mom is a visionary for this business and while we may disagree on certain ways things are done, at the end of the day, we can always come together to figure out the best way to deliver quality products that we can be proud of. I also like the cool people and other business owners that we meet here in Flagstaff,” said Cody Bensel.
Originally from Delaware, Burtell lived most of her life in the San Diego area and in Kingman for 15 years. She says that working with her son brightens her day.
Meanwhile, expanding her offerings is one of her goals. “I would love to start selling cupcakes, brownies, mini cheesecakes, chocolate pretzels, possibly parfaits and other retail items,” said Burtell.
“I’ve ordered Flagstaff Fruit Creations floral arrangements and dipped berries for birthday and Christmas gifts and the recipients have loved them,” said Tammy Cupp, a realtor with Sterling Real Estate Management. “During Christmas, Robyn designed a box of dipped berries designed to look like reindeer. “Her work is so unique, beautiful and healthy. Robyn and her son, Cody, have also helped me come up with some creative ideas and have been so accommodating with same-day orders.”
Outside of her commercial kitchen, Burtell loves getting back on her mountain bike and going to several local gyms. “I like to go to Planet Fitness and help others with their workouts.” Going out to eat with her husband is also on her fun list. FBN
By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN
Flagstaff Fruit Creations is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, located at 2710 N. Steves Blvd., Suite H. For more information, call 928-727-5797. The business also offers delivery service.
Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Cody Bensel helps his mom, Robyn Burtell, at Flagstaff Fruit Creations.