NEWS

Boiling Springs Florist celebrates 50 years

Latrice Williams
The Shelby Star

Deep in the basement of her childhood home, Renee Walker watched as her mom, Lela Blanton, carefully crafted bouquets and other flower arrangements. Not only was she observing her mother’s skillset as a floral designer, but she was witnessing the early stages of what would become a five-decade long business.

Boiling Springs Florist celebrated their 50-year anniversary Saturday. To commemorate, the staff held a party complete with door prizes and giveaways at the shop at 207 S. Main St.

Renee Walker puts together a bouquet with sunflowers, marigolds, daylilies and more on a Monday afternoon.

“I want to thank the community,” said Walker. “I’m proud of the milestone we achieved."

The shop opened in 1971.

Walker never thought she would spend the rest of her life carrying on what her mom started. Upon graduation from Gardner-Webb University, she thought she was well on her way to a lifelong career as a school teacher. But when she set out to fulfill her student-teaching obligation, she realized she wanted to take a different path.

“It was a different experience than what I was expecting,” said Walker.

Walker said she was not a plant enthusiast like her mother but became more intrigued about them once her mother opened the shop.

“Once she started the florist, I got more into it,” said Walker.

Blanton took a floral design course at Cleveland Community College. It was there her instructor motivated her to open her own shop in Boiling Springs since there were none in the area at that time.

“She just loved flowers," said Walker. 

To this day, peace lilies and roses have been their best-selling plant and flower. The shop is busiest around Mother’s Day, but the holiday is second to Valentine’s Day.

Renee Walker punches in an order on Monday afternoon at her shop Boiling Springs Florist.

Walker started working in her mom’s floral shop when she was 12. She has been part of many joyous occasions, such as weddings and graduations, but she also watched friends go through the pain of burying loved. Yet no matter the circumstance, she responds promptly when called upon, knowing the colorful plants have the power to uplift people out of the most somber situation.

“I have the memories of helping people,” said Walker. “Helping the ones that have bereavement - helping them through hard times. I just want to say thank you so much for your support. I thank the Lord for the blessings he has bestowed upon me.”

Latrice Williams can be reached at 704-669-3333 and lwilliams6@gannett.com.