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Brooklyn Flower Shop Flourishes, Despite Challenging Year

Brooklyn Blooms has opened a second location on the heels of the original location’s fifth anniversary
pix 2 ribbon cutting
Photo: Supplied.

For Bed-Stuy-based entrepreneur LaParis Philips, business is coming up roses.

Roses, in fact, are a key to her success: Philips is the owner of Brooklyn Blooms, a "floral boutique" on Nostrand Avenue, and on Friday she cut a big red ribbon to officially open a second location on Fulton Street.

Photo: Supplied.

"This is so surreal to me and certainly a dream come true," Phillips said. "I walked by this location for years and dreamed of having my shop located here, and now it is."  

Philips opened her first location five years ago, after moving to Brooklyn from St Louis, MO, to pursue a career in fashion. Upon her arrival she found the fashion industry fiercely competitive and forged a new path as a floral artist.

Photo: Supplied.

Philips said her business drew inspiration from fashion, nature and art to mix flowers of different textures, colors, and silhouettes together to get the perfect look. In 2017, she invested in her talents and became a member of Bed-Stuy's strong small business community with the opening of her first store.

Photo: Supplied.

On Friday, that community came out to support the expansion of her business at the ribbon cutting — hosted by Bed-Stuy Gateway BID. Community Board 3 Chair Richard Flateau presented Phillips with a special citation acknowledging the 29-year-old's accomplishments and commitment to investing back into the community on behalf of Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

At the event, Assemblymember Stefani Zimerman honored Philips and fellow flower business owner Angel Melendez, who has owned Flower Works for 25 years. She said Melendez and Philips showed Black-owned businesses had longevity, "and the ability to survive and strive."

"Bedford Stuyvesant has a rich tradition of entrepreneurship and small business ownership."




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