INFOCUS

SHARING LOVE AND CREATING

CONNECTION THROUGH FLOWERS

WRITTEN BY PAMELA SPRADLIN MAHAJAN PHOTOS BY JAMI BOWMAN

As COVID continues putting a damper on many in-person gatherings, finding ways to connect can be tricky. One way to show your love from a distance and give someone a boost is with a flower delivery. In fact, there seem to be few ways as effective at creating that warm, fuzzy feeling in the recipient. One shop offering this long-distance connection is Flowers by Emily. Located in Leawood, the shop is owned by Emily Fyten. Initially, Fyten had no plans of becoming a florist. “I knew I wanted to do something creative, but I couldn’t really decide what,” she says. In college, Fyten explored several art-related subjects, including drawing, painting, and art history. Yet she couldn’t figure out exactly how to make a career out of any of them. When Fyten began working at a flower shop part-time, something clicked. She realized she had found her calling. Fyten started her business creating flower arrangements for weddings out of her home. The business grew and she opened her first storefront in 2007 at 151st and Nall in Overland Park. In 2010, she relocated to Park Place in Leawood. Since then, Fyten has expanded to a larger location in Park Place.

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Flowers by Emily creates arrangements for occasions such as funerals and weddings (the shop does about 30 weddings per year), but the majority of their business comes from everyday events. These daily bouquets are for birthdays, anniversaries, or even just a quick pickme-up to oneself. “I absolutely love the arrangements from Flowers by Emily,” customer Jill McCarthy says. “So beautiful! And yes—you can send flowers to yourself! It’s a mood booster.” Customer Eric Reyhle adds, “I tasked Flowers by Emily with delivering a customized bouquet each day for seven days in a row for my mother’s 70th birthday, and they couldn’t have delivered any better or been more pleasant and professional to work with.”

In addition to fresh flowers, the shop offers a selection of gifts, plants, succulents, and dried flowers. They also sell custom-made moss walls, crafted of 100 percent real moss and preserved flowers. These handcrafted pieces can be displayed indoors or in a covered outdoor area, and require no maintenance. Flowers by Emily partners with two local businesses—Blue Chip Cookies and Panache Chocolates—and can deliver their items along with the flowers. Since fresh flowers arrive at the shop daily, what is available on Monday may or may not be available on Friday. Fyten encourages customers to pick a price point and color palette and let the shop take care of the rest. This allows customers to receive the best bouquet using the flowers available. Fyten’s original intent was to work in a creative profession, so it’s no surprise her favorite part of the job is being able to create something one-of-a-kind. “My favorite holiday to design for is Mother’s Day because I love that time of year for flowers,” she says. “There’s usually a vast selection of spring flowers available and the local growers start having more and more stuff. Customers are usually looking for something colorful and fragrant, so we get to be creative with each one.” Whether you are planning a wedding, seeking a thoughtful gift for a loved one, or wanting to treat yourself, Flowers by Emily offers an ever-changing selection of fresh flowers. Customers can call the store to place an order or visit their website. If you are needing something the same day, they can often have something ready within an hour. Sending a customized bouquet is a wonderful way to bridge the gap of physical distance or lift someone’s spirits. Shopping at Flowers by Emily may also take you back to a simpler time, as it did for one customer: “I grew up in one of those amazing old neighborhoods that had a butcher shop, convenience store with eggs, flour and basic groceries, pharmacy, and florist nestled among the beautiful homes. Flowers by Emily reminds me of that flower shop.”

“Sending a customized bouquet is a wonderful way to bridge the gap of physical distance or lift someone’s spirits.”

Flowers by Emily • 5230 W. 116th Place, Leawood, KS • 913.685.1188 • flowersbyemily.com SIMPLYkc Special • Use the code SIMPLYKC for 15% off.