By Kim Breyley,
Flowers By Emily, owned by Emily Martin, is a thriving flower/gift boutique located in Harrington Square in Middlefield. Martin, realized her passion for flowers/horticulture as a pre-teen when helping a neighboring flower-shop owner design and prepare flowers for customers in Andover. She worked there through high school, then later, while majoring in horticulture at college in South Carolina she gained more experience at a local Charleston flower shop. “In Charleston, I frequented the most beautiful cemeteries,” she recalls. “I loved one, especially, maintained by the Unitarian Church because their flower beds were growing so naturally.
After returning to the area, Martin worked for Eagle Creek growers in Mantua and Urban Growers for several years. “I’ve always loved to have my hands in the dirt,” she says. Later she married Craig, settled in Burton and they began a family. After their first child, when considering work, Emily wanted to be available at home to avoid placing their son in day care. “So, I started doing weddings on the side and worked from my front porch,” she says. Within a few years, she was supplying flowers for as many as 100 Amish weddings per season.
Realizing this “blossoming” business could now support a store front and seeing there was a niche to be filled, she chose a 2,000 sq. ft. location in Middlefield on Kinsman Road. “It was nerve racking at first,” she recalls, “starting a business and not being certain about its viability.”
After seven years of steady growth and the desire to pick up and expand product lines, she decided to look for another 1000 sq ft., knowing they could fill it. “We really outgrew and filled that space,” she shares. “It has been amazing to me.”
She contacted longtime friends, Dave and Becky Harrington, owners of Harrington Square in Middlefield and they proposed she consider the 4,000 sq. ft. space where Family Dollar was vacating. “It is a larger space, but it gives us opportunities to bulk shop and expand product lines.” They moved into this new location this past March and will be hosting a grand opening May 6, 2023.
“We now have opportunity to be even more unique by offering multiple product lines such as snack baskets, Buckeye Chocolates, and local beers and wines,” she says. “Our engraving machine will soon be up and running; we will offer engraving on a great assortment of items such as Charcuterie boards, glass vases, plaques, memorials and grilling sets for Father’s Day.” Several consignments are available such as distinctive jewelry, fragrant goat-milk soaps, beautiful cross-stitch, and an onsite photographer.
Many of the flowers available in the store are grown at the Martin residence in Burton. “For example,” says Emily, “when comparing prices of imported Dahlias and growing them at home, it just makes sense, and they are fresh!” With help from her family, son Ethan, now 17 and daughter Ivy, 14 they spend many quality hours processing flowers. “We’ve been fortunate; this business has allowed us to instill a good work ethic in our kids,” says Martin. She adds, “I could never have accomplished this dream without my husband’s help and constant support. He can dig a hole like no other!”
Flowers By Emily currently employs 10 including designers, customer service and delivery staff. Continued success is a surety.
Save the date of May 6 and join Emily and gang to celebrate this new location at Harrington Square, 15561 W. High St., Middlefield, 44062. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Call 440-632-8056, or visit flowersbyemily.net.
