Classic Floral Design Celebrates 21 Years in Waukee

An anchor in the business district of the Waukee Triangle, Lyn Schafer set up shop at in Waukee 21 years ago today. She says she can’t imagine doing anything else.  

“I’m not very good at sitting still,” Schafer said.

After graduating from high school in Davenport, Schafer moved around the country, eventually settling down in the Des Moines area. She quickly found out roughly 40 years ago that she didn’t like sitting at a desk and that working in a floral shop was a better fit for her.

The move to Waukee was a relatively snap decision. After seeing a for-sale ad for a floral shop in Waukee, Schafer took a look.

“On Sunday we talked, by the next Friday I had a flower shop,” Schafer said. “It was time to move on, to do something different, and to be an owner, not just a manager. Finding this particular spot, it was perfect.”

Nov. 7, 1990, was Schafer’s first day in the business. By 1992, she owned the building.

Berniece Johnson has worked with Schafer for 18 years. The two, who once worked in competing Urbandale flower shops, have an easy working relationship, something Johnson said convinced her to go into business together.

"I thought there was a good possibility because Lyn is a survivor, she'll do whatever it takes to keep things going," Johnson said. "Even though she's a small business, I knew that she wouldn't pack it in when things got tough."

Working in Waukee also appealed to Johnson, who grew up in a small town and likes living and working in a community where everybody knows your name. "It's just friendlier here, you can be more personable," she said.

Schafer says the pair is always on the lookout for new ideas.

“We’ve both worked really hard to grow the business, neither one of us is fine with just doing the status quo,” Schafer said. “We’re always looking for new and unusual products and different ways to do designs.”

Schafer always intended the business to be more than just a place to order flowers. She points to the handmade soaps that are created in-house, the fall decorations on every wall, and even the custom metal sculptures Schafer’s son Michael makes. She also offers tuxedo rentals, something Waukee parents have raved about.

“Parents said it was so much easier, they knew everything would be here, and they didn’t have to fight traffic going into West Des Moines,” Schafer said.

Schafer says Waukee has been good to her these past 21 years.

“People have always been so friendly in Waukee, even on the first day here,” Schafer said. “It’s just a great place to live.”

When T.J. Irvin of Waukee stopped in recently, he said he’s been impressed with the products and customer service offered at Classic Floral Design.

 “They’re incredibly friendly, and they’re able to get stuff quickly when I need it,” Irvin said. “They can get stuff delivered in other towns if you need that, as well.”

Between running the shop and teaching a floral design class at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Schafer says she doesn’t have any immediate plans to retire.