HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Ruffled Willow opened their doors to the Christian County community in 2019 when owner Danielle Renshaw felt there was a need for an upscale, luxury wedding florist in the area. After being opened several years, Renshaw said it’s overwhelming to have established such a meaningful relationship with community members, and she’s thankful the store plays a big part in people’s lives.
“There wasn’t anything at the time where you could go in and seek a professional about your wedding flowers,” Renshaw said. “At first what we liked to say was that we were a boot-strap company; we did everything ourselves and had a home-base studio until 2020 when we opened a studio location.”
After moving to the new studio in 2020, they continued to do 50 or more weddings per year. However, Ruffled Willow pivoted their business model around three years ago, she said. “We decided to pivot and expand into the retail, gift and houseplant side of Ruffled Willow. That’s when we opened our first brick and mortar location.”
Not only does Ruffled Willow sell houseplants and pots, but staff will also pot them for free if patrons buy one of the items from their brick-and-mortar location.
‘When we opened the brick and mortar, we really wanted people to feel a sense of community’
Renshaw told Christian County Now that it means a lot to have this amount of success in the area. “Ruffled Willow was never about just selling flowers,” she said. “When we opened the brick and mortar, we really wanted people to feel a sense of community and involvement when they came in. We wanted to have the best customer service, with the best gifts, flowers and plants around; And really just be a staple in our community.”
Throughout their various phases, the business has maintained support over the years which includes clients that have been with Ruffled Willow since its conception. “From those very first wedding clients, then we did their baby showers, and unfortunately we’ve done some of their grandparents, parents funerals,” she said. “They had the sense that they belong here, and they are just more than just a client. They’re a part of our community.”
“I genuinely think your community is stronger with small businesses. So, one thing I would like people to do is shop local,” Renshaw said about the importance of residents shopping small. “When you come into Ruffled Willow, we want you to be able to get gifts, houseplants and flowers.”
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About their flowers, seasonal offerings
Not only is the business locally owned, but Ruffled Willow works with various local flower farmers for their supply. Specifically, their seasonal and specialty stock are mostly grown in Kentucky and Tennessee. Renshaw said the business works through a co-op, so they receive their flowers from about 15 different flower farms.
“Then we work with three local farms pretty regularly as well,” she added. “That’s also important to us because not only are you buying from a local woman-owned business, but we’re also buying from local owned businesses; so, in turn, you are supporting tons of businesses in our community.”
Due to the current season, the flower in most high demand right now is the dahlia. Their online offerings change each season to highlight the seasonality of specific flowers.
“We do so much here, so if you haven’t come in yet, we definitely welcome you and encourage you to come in. We’re not just a flower store; we have lots of other things as well,” she said. Throughout the year, Ruffled Willow hosts workshops for people interested in learning more about flowers and plants, and they often collaborate with other nearby local business for small business events.
Find their store at 3026 Fort Campbell Boulevard in Hopkinsville. They are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday’s until 2 p.m.
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