Find Your Local Florist:Everything you want to know about flowers!
Located in Miami, FL is a flower shop with an unusual past. Emma Borrell worked as a food nutrition specialist at South Miami Hospital and also catered events. As a caterer, she specialized in fruit carving, often carving company logos and other designs out of fruit. This all changed in 2005 when she was presented with the opportunity to purchase a flower shop. Kings Creek Flowers and Gifts was born and has continued to flourish. [Read more…]
Change is a good thing, and this couldn’t be truer for The Flower Company located in Albuquerque, NM. The shop itself is over 40 years old, and the current owner, Adrianna Duran-Leon, took the reins from her aunt in 2016. [Read more…]
To describe floral design as an art form is to be expected. Those who are fortunate enough to be blessed with the skill of floral design often find that it is a deep-seeded passion that’s not easily walked away from. Linda Taylor, owner of Heartstrings Florist & Artisans in Dallas, Oregon, knows this from first-hand experience. Linda owned a flower shop from 1978 to 1992 in Sheridan, OR. She closed up to move to Alaska, but always felt something was missing. [Read more…]
Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains is Chantilly Lace Floral Boutique, a local floral boutique with deep roots. [Read more…]
Inspired and motivated by her grandparents and mother to join the floral business, Robin Fordham opened the doors to Robin’s Main Street Florist in January of 2016. Since her grandparents and mother were owners of a greenhouse and flower shop, it was inevitable that Robin would grow up with a passion for flowers. Always wanting to make something of this talent of hers, she finally pursued her dream and opened her very own flower shop in Marshville, NC. [Read more…]
It’s no surprise that Nancy and Walter Trego know flowers. With their successful floral business, Ewing’s Greenhouses and Florist, you can say they are veteran’s in the industry. This shop is not only celebrating 15 years as a Flower Shop Network member this fall, but they are also celebrating 60 years in the business.
Experience You Can Count OnServing the Elkton, Maryland area, Ewing’s experience speaks for itself with their full-service flower shop, there is nothing this team can’t do.
From floral gifts and sympathy designs to weddings and events, their arrangements are versatile for any occasion.
Customer SatisfactionEwing’s makes it a point to work with the customer and strives on customer satisfaction–even when ordering online.
One such customer ordered through their site from another state for a loved one in the area. This is what they had to say about their service:
“I’m a first-time Ewing’s customer and will definitely be placing more orders in the future. Wonderful prices, beautiful flower and plant arrangements. The order was delivered between the days specified. Great feedback from recipient (plant was blooming and the perfect size). Would highly recommend.”
When sending flowers to a loved one, you want the best shop on the job. So, look no further than Ewing’s Greenhouses and Florist with 60 years of experience and love of all things flowers.
We are always proud of our members when they accomplish personal goals and one talented florist did just that!
Doug Bates during his AIFD testing.
Doug Bates of Designs by VOGT’s of Sturgis, Michigan, will be initiated into the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) this July 2015.
“It’s always been a personal goal of mine,” Bates said. “It’s like the PhD of the floral world and it’s a level of skill and ability that is recognized worldwide.”
Bates hasn’t always had this goal on his bucket list–in fact, he never thought he would be a florist to begin with!
In March 2006, Bates’ son was born and he was looking for a part-time job so his wife could stay home with their newborn. In his teen years, Bates used to do pizza delivery, so he ventured out to all the pizza businesses for work. No one would hire him. Thinking of other businesses that required drivers, he headed to a local flower shop who was in need of a new driver. They hired him on the spot.
The second Saturday he was working deliveries, the flower shop was bombarded with orders and the only people working that day was Bates and the owner of the shop.
“I was handed a stack of orders and told to get them done,” Bates said. “That started something.”
Of course, the orders he did were fairly simple: fruit baskets, etc. But since that day, design clicked for bates and the owner saw the talent.
In 2010, Bates became certified through his state association and began designing professionally. Once he heard about the AIFD certification, he attended Symposium and made it his goal to be part of the institute.
“This certification has give me confidence as a designer,” Bates said. “As creative people, we all second guess ourselves. To me, something could look good, but there is a theory to design. There is a reason something looks right.”
This designer took the three-year journey through the certification process. Throughout the course, he learned about different materials and techniques. He also learned that becoming a part of this certification also made him a part of the AIFD community. His final exam took place at the Chicago Symposium in July 2014, and he will be inducted into the institute this year.
“I never finished college, so this is my great accomplishment,” Bates said. “To think that before this, I made windows for RVs. You never know how things are going to work out!”
If you’re a florist who is interested in getting the AIFD certification, contact your state association chapters who have scholarship opportunities and information available for you.
Kimberly George has always been creative. So, when the opportunity to own Northwest Arkansas Florist fell on her and her husband’s lap in 2012, they took it.
With a team of ten designers and two locations (Fayetteville, Arkansas and Bentonville, Arkansas), NWA Florist is recognized not only for their great design, but also for an iconic statue that calls the shop home.
Artist painting horse for American Diabetes Association
Horse Beginnings
The shop began in 1978 with the Dufresne Family. When the family moved to the area, they bought a grocery store that included a cement and fiberglass horse. When the family started NWA Florist, they brought the horse over to the flower shop and he’s been an icon ever since.
One day the horse was vandalized. Someone spray-painted him and that’s how the painting of the horse started evolving and non-profits became involved.
According to George, the horse is around 50 years old, he gets painted once a month, and it’s non-profits and other charitable organizations that do all the painting. His name is ‘Ol’ Paint’ in the Fayetteville location.
He is currently scheduled for painting past 2018. It’s no surprise that everyone wants to be part of this local icon.
“Some people don’t always know the name of the shop,” George said, “but if they are told, ‘it’s the one with the horse,’ they know exactly who we are.”
Part of the Community
George said she loves being a local business. They cater to just about any event and they are able to work with any budget.
From everyday arrangements to University of Arkansas events, NWA Florist has done it all. Their manager s also AIFD Certified, which is the highest certification in the nation to receive in the floral industry.
George said it’s important to shop locally because everyone supports each other and they are able to control the quality of the flowers.
“The most important thing is that you are getting a personal touch of something that is happening locally,” George said. “You’re not getting something from overseas. It is something that is adding back to the community because we are a small business.”
There is no need to look further for a florist that will have the experience and the personal touch to focus on your needs as a customer. Just remember to look for the florist with the horse–Northwest Arkansas Florist.
From the time she had her own section in her family garden, Kari knew she loved flowers. Now, after 14 years at Drummers Garden Center and Floral, Kari continues to design and knows that being a florist is her passion.
Along with two other floral designers, Kari and the Drummer’s floral team combine their 75 years of total experience to create works of art their customers love.
Local Community
Located in Mankato, Minnesota, Drummers celebrates 25 years of serving customers in all their floral and gardening needs.
From wedding bouquets to seasonal arrangements, the team at Drummers’ think the best part of being a local flower shop is their ability to get to know their customers.
“There is one family for whom we’ve done their kids’ prom, their wedding, and now their baby shower,” Kari said. “We see the family growing because in a way we stay in touch.”
Julie, owner of Drummers’, agrees that because their shop is small enough, they really get to know their customers and offer them great customer service.
Beyond Flowers
This flower shop offers a lot more than a traditional shop. Due to their garden center, this offers a greater variety of gift options for their customers.
Julie said this is especially helpful if a family would prefer to send a potted plan or a memorial tree to a funeral service.
The combination of florals and the garden center allows for community involvement opportunities. For example, Drummers offers many classes where people of all ages can learn about many plant and flower topics–like miniature gardens. This is especially popular for birthday parties where kids can make their own fairy gardens to take home.
As a local business, Drummers Garden Center and Floral has become part of the community they love to serve. Next time you need a design for a loved one in the Mankato area, take a look at Drummers Garden Center and Floral.
Welcome to October’s Blog Spotlight!
This month we have a small blog from Concord, MA: The Concord Flower Shop Blog. This flower shop has been in business since 1898 and is in its 25th year under current owner, Helen Dearborn Halloran. They are a local, independent and green florist that carries a large selection of cut flowers from local sources and around the world. They offer both monthly specials and web specials, so if you’re in the Concord area, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on their page. But what about the blog?
It’s always exciting to win and we couldn’t be happier to have been voted Favorite Florist in both Concord and the wider Region (Acton, Chelmsford, Clinton, Concord, Littleton, Maynard, Stow & Westford) by Wicked Local!
Each year the local Beacon Communications News runs this contest for their readers. We’ve won in each category before but not both at the same time. It’s great to know that our hard work and customer service doesn’t go un-noticed and we will continue to work hard to keep your business.
Right now we are offering local summer flowers from area farms. This means the flowers are picked daily and when you bring them home or send them to a friend, you can be certain they will be fresh and long lasting. Our summer specials are posted on the sandwich sign outside our shop in West Concord, on our Facebook page and the special’s page on our web site. We hope you’ll visit soon and see for yourself why we are the areas favorite florist!
The post is short and to the point, but that’s not a bad thing! It’s a public thank you to their customers, and they are using the blog as a way to communicate store news to their audience. Both excellent uses of the blog space!
Are you interested in having your blog featured in our next blog spotlight? Leave your shop name and blog link in the comments below. Thanks for reading and join us next month for another edition of the monthly Blog Spotlight!
