This is closer to the actual color

That's a winner ...

it does not seem to be an optmara. any idea who the grower is?

No idea who grew it but it looks like a triple rather than a double but I am not a expert. I see two layers of petals, then that third which is more ruffled. I say it followed me home because I was looking at other plants, I glanced over at the DH and he had it in his hands. He carried it clear through the check stand. He really likes it, wouldn't put it down till it was bought, paid for and in the car

:0)

Beautiful! Don't you love it when they like the same hobby you do? ;-) Looks similar to Instant Attraction... except it doesn't have purple flecks on the petals.

Lol, I understand not putting it down until it was bought. once upon a time I was shopping, couldn't decide between two plants, put one down to have a better look at the other, and some person snatched it up before I could even blink. Yes, she made my mind up for me, but I was seriously miffed. And then the same thing happened at ikea the other day, as I was looking at a rug, someone reached past me and grabbed it out from under my nose. Now I pick up anything I am even just considering buying and don't put it down until I know I don't want it.

Can't really help with ID, my first thought was bob serbin, but I haven't even seen that one in person yet.

Karin

It is a bit too violet to be Bob Serbin if Serbin is red and a bit too red to be Starry Night which is pale violet.

Could it be Zoe? Maybe not..it is more a fuschia than a red or violet

Looks like Sun Sizzle ...

African Violet Sun Sizzle

No, it is not Bob Serbin or Zoe. It is more of a double that a triple.

The petals on those two are tighter and firmer, more orangey-red or brick in color. It does look like the photo Aegis posted of Sun Sizzle, another of the Lyon's hybrids.

It might be an Arthoflores or Anthroflores or however it is spelled. Or a local grower might have developed their own hybrids.

Or maybe it is one that Su suggested ...

In any case, you have a very pretty plant.

Regarding people in stores grabbing what you are looking at, I think your looking at it just makes them want it! You have already pre-selected it for them. I have had people follow me around, waiting for me to put something down so they could pounce on it. However, in retail, the stores also know that if you pick it up, it is hard to put it down. That is why grocery store packages have all the bright colors and screaming headlines, to try to make you pick it up.

joanne.... that makes me want walk through the cracker isle in my grocery store and pick up and set down every flashy box..... ok - so i have an ornery streak! :-D

It is red reverse which seems to be rare in Geneva edge or maybe not.

The grower may be local. I suspect it is a Lyon as the other plants all resembled Lyon. The shop has a few at a time, none of which look commercial. It may be a friend of the owner or a relative who has mouse ear extras. There are very few and rarely offered. I haven't asked about the source. There was a blue single with Geneva edge but Joanne sent leaves of Starry Night and that is about to bloom so I have a good pale violet or blue.

I didn't choose this one either. I was holding the variegated and didn't have anymore hand's to hold this one. I had help.

The Starry Night is plum color, it is bright. The name is misleading. I guess the Blue must refer to the type rather than the actual color. It grows large and is a good bloomer. It does not sucker, it stays in one rosette shape. If for any reason, the flower blooms in a more purple color than a warm plum, then it is Midnight Waves. It also grows symmetrically and is a good bloomer.

Su--Don't do it, unless you like Crackers!!

Maybe O Nebraska II