BUSINESS IS BLOOMING
WHITE LILIES N PARADISE PUSHES PETALS WITH CARING, KINDNESS Writer / Julie Yates Photographer / Jason Graves
White Lilies N Paradise owner Susan Perry is dedicated to supplying Kokomo residents with plants, flowers and gifts to celebrate all the seasons of life. Her caring and enthusiasm spreads to the friendly staff who learn the names of customers and will even assist them in picking out individual bouquets or arrangements when they pop in the shop. While change has happened in the decades she’s been in business, Perry continues to love flowers and the happiness they bring people. “I worked at Carriage Manor Flowers for 23 years until the owner retired, then I took about a year and a half off,” Perry says.
“For a while I worked at Creative Financial Center scheduling events. When the owners of Big Ben Coffee wanted to step away from the flower shop part of their business, I took over. The shop became White Lilies N Paradise during the seven years it was at Forest Park Shopping Center. I moved to the Phillips Street location on Memorial Weekend in 2016, so I just celebrated my fifth-year anniversary here.” “My whole family has always been involved and all three of my daughters have taken part in the shop,” she says. “My grandson helps with delivery. I also do deliveries and while I’m out, my husband Ken watches the store. The way people react when they get flowers delivered is a reward to us. Their facial features and their attitude changes.
I love seeing the smiles when they know someone was thinking of them.” The shop’s starting price points make their silk and fresh plants and flowers available to everyone. Bouquets start at $25. Besides the option of ordering ahead, there is a cooler of pre-made arrangements inside the shop. Staff will also help walk-in customers pick out flowers by the stem. Planters in ceramic pots or baskets begin at $20. Floor plants are between $25 to $40 with the price going up from there. Seasonal blooming plants such as spring daffodils, hyacinth and tulips or autumn mums run about $25 to $30 for a six-inch pot. “It’s always best to order ahead of time to make sure you get what you want. During
$0 MORE PLANS AVAILABLE FOR $0 The Affordable Care Act Federal Special Enrollment Period Ends August 15, 2021.
DANNA GREEN
Licensed Insurance Agent
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*Premium subsidies vary by address and subject to eligibility. Cost sharing (deductible and coinsurance) may be higher. 12 / KOKOMO MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com
