Business owner Yvonne McCutchen had a running joke with her family: When she retired from the wedding industry, she would operate a flower cart outside a Dollar Tree.
After 22 years helping brides and grooms plan their nuptials, McCutchen decided it was time to follow her dream — and despite her ongoing inside joke, it was bigger than flower cart.
On Tuesday, Sept. 2, McCutchen opened The Flower Bar, a florist and luxury goods retailer, at 157 W. Granada Blvd. in downtown Ormond Beach. McCutchen, a Mainland High School grad, opened her business almost three years ago, originally out of Palm Plaza on 600 S. Yonge St.
The business model was inspired by her wedding vows.
“I always said, ‘Flowers mean I like you, but Louis Vuitton means I love you,'” McCutchen said. “And [my husband] goes, ‘What better thing would that be for us to open up a flower shop where you could buy Louis Vuitton and flowers at the same time?’ So here we are.”
The Flower Bar is a wedding and event floral company, and in addition to that, they also offer a monthly flower subscription, a build-your-own bouquet station with new weekly themes, as well as grab-and-go fresh flowers. Their new shop at Granada also offers workshops and classes for the community.
Whether you come buy one stem from us, or you get a large arrangement, or we do your wedding — we want to be your flower bestie. I always tell people, ‘We’re not a florist, we’re a vibe.'” —YVONNE MCCUTCHEN, The Flower Bar owner
Yvonne McCutchen said she wants her business to be the community’s “flower bestie.” Photo by Jarleene Almenas
McCutchen said they had been thinking of moving to the downtown for a while. When they first opened in Palm Plaza, they did so around the same time as local bookstore Fern & Fable, and once the bookstore moved to the downtown in 2023, McCutchen often told them she would be willing to relocate her shop if a space became available.
About three weeks ago, she and her husband were driving down Granada Boulevard to get ice cream when they saw a “For Rent” sign.
“We said, ‘Well, there’s our sign,'” McCutchen said. “That’s what we needed.”
The Flower Bar has provided florals for different organizations and local events, including the annual Margarita Ball in Volusia County, United Way’s Power of the Purse and the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s annual Wishing gala.
McCutchen said a portion of the florals are donated to the organizations as a way for The Flower Bar to give back.
At the core of the business is McCutchen’s love of flowers. Being in the wedding industry, she said you get to witness how much joy flowers can bring others.
Since opening, many people have come into her shop and told her how much a florist was needed in the downtown district — an area she often frequents herself as a customer.
The Flower Bar owner Yvonne McCutchen previously worked in wedding event planning for 22 years. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
On the first day of business, McCutchen said that 52 people walked inside, many of them welcoming The Flower Bar into the neighborhood. Being in the downtown is overwhelming, but in a good way, she said.
“It’s wonderful to be in the neighborhood of people that you already put your money into,” she said.
McCutchen said she aims to establish a space that is not like your typical florist. She wants the community to come hang out; Wheelhouse Coffee will be in the shop on Fridays.
This is their forever home, McCutchen said.
“We want to be your flower bestie,” she said. “Whether you come buy one stem from us, or you get a large arrangement, or we do your wedding — we want to be your flower bestie. I always tell people, ‘We’re not a florist, we’re a vibe.'”
The Flower Bar is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The shop is active on instagram @theflowerbar_sby
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