New: Posies Floral Studio on Kings Hwy

It was a foul-weather, dreary spring Saturday — one of many these days. The colors of the season have yet to show off, yet inside the new Posies Floral Studio, 104A Kings Highway, they’re already in bloom.

The intimate new shop is starting to attract attention, which is exactly what owner Gen Cunningham was hoping for. Customers looked around at the carefully crafted arrangements and moved toward the desk.

For Cunningham, the shop has always been something she worked toward, but she arrived at it in a roundabout way. "I attended design school back in 1999 and worked for a while in a private floral studio as well as a retail shop," she said. "But over the years, I have done flowers for weddings and other events from a private studio in my home.

"I was a real estate sales associate as well, but always wanted to open my own retail shop," Cunningham added. "I put it off for a while to be more available to my family, and then since the economy wasn't the best, I continued to wait until I felt it was a good time to open.  When I saw this space available, I knew it was meant to be!"

The space is at the end of the three-pad strip of stores near Church Street known for its arts and crafts type draw and the area’s Calico Fair — a perfect match for Cunningham’s approach to her field. That connection, however, wasn’t a primary inspiration for her.

"I didn't think about the Calico Fair when looking at the space," she said. "I moved to the Middletown Village area back in 1985 and always felt that that group of stores could be a charming little shopping destination. I don't like shopping in malls or even strip malls and prefer the downtown-type stores."

Using her skills as a real estate professional, Cunningham recognized the value of the pad’s location. "I spend a lot of time visiting my daughter in Savannah and got my inspiration from the eclectic shops they have there," she said. "I also felt that being close to the train station would be a plus.  Commuters could just swing by and pick up flowers on their way home."

The location opened on Thursday, April 14; and, while Cunningham said it’s too early to ascertain which items will be the shop’s big sellers, she sees some positive signs. "I had premade some bouquets of spring flowers, and they all went pretty quickly," she said. "I also sold quite a few unique French-inspired flower pots with flowering bulbs.

"I love working with most flowers and doing different designs, but I really love hydrangeas and roses," Cunningham said.

Having the shop open a week before Easter weekend meant getting ready for a major holiday event alongside dealing with the rigors of a grand opening weekend. Cunningham, nonetheless, is prepared for both.

"(We have) many beautiful home and garden items for people who are looking to accessorize their homes or want a place to find a unique gift," she boasted. "We are also featuring flowering bulb plants in unusual containers, Easter Lilies, David Bradley Chocolate Easter Candy and fresh cut tulip arrangements for $16.00 (as well as other spring flowers).  The Easter Bunny will be making an appearance in front of the stores on Saturday. People can bring their children and their cameras and take pictures."

On top of all of that, the store is also beginning to take orders for First Communion and prom flowers. It is a case of being grateful for being extremely busy and there are hopes and solid data indicating the economy is starting to find its footing once more.

For many years, the idea of starting a business in such a negative climate seemed like a serious risk for Cunningham, especially with news of dismal prospects for pre-existing operations. With light now seemingly shining at the end of the tunnel, she made the decision to forge ahead.

"I could see that it was getting a little better and my feeling is that the worst is behind us," Cunningham said. "My concern was getting myself involved in too big a venture might be a mistake. But since this is a smaller space I am able to start slow and get a feel for what my customer wants and needs."

Even as the rain struck harder on the grand opening banner outside the shop, inside things seemed to be well on their way to brighter and more colorful times ahead.

For more information, visit: www.posiesstudio.com