Bloomflora: An Exquiste New Floral Shop Opens on Broad Street

For Mimi Betancourt, opening her own floral design business in Bloomfield was a chance to do what she loved while changing the course of her life. 

“I wanted to be creative on my own terms,” she said at the opening gala of her new boutique floral and home shop, Bloomflora, at 385 Broad Street.  “I’m a floral designer and an interior designer.  I wanted to be closer to my kids.  When I turned 40 in November, I said, ‘is this really what I want to do? – commute every day into New York?  I’m missing my kids growing up’.”

Betancourt opened her shop two weeks ago and already it’s a standout in the up-and-coming North center business district.  Inside the stylish shop, graceful floral arrangements visually harmonize with a sophisticated array of home goods like candles, soaps, vases and exotic potted plants.  The mood is friendly, welcoming and uncompromisingly chic.

Her mission, she says, is to create floral creations that are both beautiful and affordable.  “It’s about the experience,” she smiled.  “You can come in and spend $20 and feel like you spent $100.”

On Monday night, Betancourt’s shop opened with great fanfare in Bloomfield.  At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was attended by local officials, family and friends, Betancourt served an elegant assortment of h’ors deourves and cocktails as she dashed happily about, greeting guests, socializing and even putting together an occasional floral arrangement for customers who strolled in.

The night was a success, she declared the next morning.

“I’m happy.  I have the biggest smile on my face,” she said on Tuesday.  “It went great!  People were here till 9:30 at night.”

Now, she said, it’s time to roll up her sleeves and get to work, creating what she calls the “go-to” place for flowers in Bloomfield.

“I want people to pick up the phone and say, ‘This is what I need, Mimi.’  I want them to say, “Mimi’s got it taken care of’.  I really want to be part of the community.”

Like many residents who commute daily to New York, Betancourt lived in Bloomfield for many years without feeling a part of it.   But that, she says, is about to change.

“I’ve lived in this community for ten years, but until now, I didn’t realize how beautiful Bloomfield is.  When I went to the Bicentennial opening ceremony, I was amazed at how rich our history is,” she said.

In fact, the launch of Bloomflora was a community effort from start to finish.  Betancourt’s family, friends and neighbors all pitched in to make sure her shop was ready for the grand opening.

“My friend and former colleague gave me the marble countertop for free,” she marveled.   “My old friend Tommy did the lighting, the floor and the plumbing.  My daughter painted the walls and the flower on our sign.  We did the paper flowers together.”  Family members like Betancourt’s sister Lisa, as well as her “wonderful assistant” Diana Miranda, prepared the food for the shop’s opening.  “It’s like the universe heard me.”

The well-prepared event drew many distinguished guests, including Mayor Raymond McCarthy, Essex County Freeholder Brendan Gill, Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, and township council members Nick Joanow, Michael Venezia and Elias Chalet.   In addition, Neddy Ramadan, the Dean of Students at Berkeley College, came to show her support.

“Mimi was one of my students,” said Ramadan proudly.  “She graduated magna cum laude.  She was the winner of the Robert Maher award for a student who has succeeded against the odds.”

For Betancourt, a single mother of two who, at the age of 35, worked full time while attending college, graduating with high honors was a significant achievement. Ramadan said she was certain of Bloomflora’s future success, based on Betancourt’s proven work ethic and talent.

Betancourt is no stranger to success, having worked for fifteen years with some of the finest designers in New York.  Still, her attitude is very down-to-earth.

“I operate my business on emotion,” she said. “It’s really about my relationships with people. You know, flowers are a very personal thing.  People really depend on you to express what they’re feeling with flowers.”

Bloomflora is family owned and operated and committed to offering only the finest floral arrangements and gifts, backed by service that is friendly and prompt.

Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Closed Mondays.

(973) 566-0070. 

E-mail: info@bloomflora.com

Bloomflora
385 Broad St
Bloomfield, NJ 07003