Among the quality floral businesses in central Illinois, what’s so unique about Enchanted Florist? The drive-thru option, for one. The products, for another.

Enchanted Florist & Boutique Co-owner and Operator Kelly Jenkins, who runs the company with business partner Becky Hofmann, said inspiration struck when they decided to move the store’s location to The Shoppes at Grand Prairie this year. "When we were considering the move from Lake of the Woods Plaza, we threw around the idea of having a drive-thru window. The very next day, I received a trade magazine that profiled a flower shop in Canada with a drive-thru that was very successful."

So when the shop opened at The Shoppes in April, the new feature was included, and it’s proven to be popular. "Many of our regular customers often use the drive-thru window. Customers can call ahead for a special order they can pick up at the drive-thru window, or we have a menu board for our customers’ convenience. During the recent high school homecoming season, our drive-thru had a steady flow of traffic. We’re very excited to offer our customers the ultimate convenience and be the only florist in central Illinois with a drive-thru window," she said.

Jenkins said the drive-thru menu stays fairly consistent, though the time of year dictates some choices. "We always offer roses on the board. Red roses are available all the time, and other colors change with the season. We also offer a seasonal mixed bouquet-in spring, summer, fall, and winter-in several price ranges."

In addition to the drive-thru feature, Jenkins said The Enchanted Florist & Boutique has plenty to offer customers. "We’re a full-service florist. We’re proud to have a customer-friendly flower cooler; our customers are always welcome to tour our cooler and handpick their favorite blooms, if they choose. I’m also very proud of our line of Jan de Luz products. Jan de Luz is a company based out of Carmel, Calif., that designs, manufactures, and sells French bath products and French linens. In the Midwest, the Jan de Luz products are sold exclusively at The Enchanted Florist & Boutique. Oprah has featured several of the products on her ’O’ list."

Jenkins said her interest in the Jan de Luz products was piqued after receiving some as a gift. "I was sold. Becky and I knew we wanted to carry them in our new location, and I had the opportunity to visit the store in Carmel. Everything just seemed to fit our look and style."

The store also carries a variety of other products. "Becky and I attend the shows at the Merchandise Mart several times a year to look for new and exciting products. It’s a goal to carry products and brands unique to the area. We carry two lines of candles-Hillhouse Naturals and Paddywax-and hand-blown vases by Abigail. At Christmas we carry collectible Father Christmas figurines by Ditz, and we’ve also begun carrying select antiques."

Opening her own business in 1997 was something Jenkins had wanted to do for some time. Finding the right partner provided the opportunity to do it sooner than she planned, though she said it was still frightening. "I thought, ’What if no one comes?’ It was a very new experience for both of us. Becky had owned another business but had no background in retail or floral design. I had retail experience and a floral background, but I had no experience in owning a business. Together, we made a good combination. It was worth the risk because I was doing something I loved."

Jenkins began her career learning the trade as she went and then later received formal training at the Chicago School for Floral Arts. "I still learn something new every day, though."

She said she’s always had a creative flair and a love of flowers, which she attributes to her grandmother’s influence. "She was very creative, and I’ve always felt I got my creative genes from her. She also loved gardening and had both vegetable and flower gardens."

Jenkins also enjoys decorating and said being able to weave her love of flowers and decorating into a career has been a dream come true. She finds an outlet for her decorating skills by making house calls to provide clients with ideas. "Customers come into the shop and try to explain to our staff their fireplace mantel or dining room so we can suggest a centerpiece or accessory piece. Many times, we offer to stop by and take a look at the room so we can make a suggestion for size, color, and style. I love being able to design a beautiful silk flower arrangement for a customer when I know exactly where it’s going to be placed and what the room looks like."

She said the holidays are popular times for house calls, but other life events sometimes require a more personal touch, as well. "It happens a lot when a customer is doing some remodeling or changing colors in a room. We can do as little as decorating their fireplace mantel or as much as putting up and decorating tress, hanging garlands, and adding special holiday touches throughout their homes. We also decorate many businesses for the holidays." 

People in her profession see customers during all phases of their lives. "We not only deal with the joyous times of celebration, such as births and weddings, but we also spend time with our customers during times of mourning. We pride ourselves on making our shop a comfortable place to visit no matter the situation."

Much of her time is spent talking to clients about selecting the perfect floral arrangement-including opening their eyes to the diverse choices that are now available. "Roses still seem to be the most popular with men-especially red roses. But we always try to educate our customers about different types of flowers. There are so many beautiful varieties and colors of flowers that are readily available to a florist."

As with other types of home design, there are several current trends in flowers. "Simple arrangements with vases are very popular right now. Most home magazines tend to show single types of flowers in unique vases or containers. Having flowers in your home to welcome guests seems to be getting more popular again, and with good reason: flowers make people feel good," she said. TPW