Success Story: Flower Power

The colorful shop, located at 622-A Paseo del Pueblo Sur, is packed with fresh flowers, houseplants, and an array of gift items including balloons, stuffed animals, chocolates, Christmas ornaments, figurines, greeting cards and apparel.

“Christmas is a big deal for us,” Perry said. “We decorate the shop and have lots of things for sale for gifting. Most of our items are less than $50.”

The store’s open floor plan invites customers to browse while they watch their flower arrangements being created. Perry said her flowers have an informal, freshly-gathered look that suits the down-to-earth vibe found in Taos.

“We started out in Ranchos,” Perry said, explaining that she and her husband, Robert Perry, then moved to a commercial space downtown, across from Smith’s, before settling into their current location in 2016.

“When we first started, it was mostly me and just one other person,” she said. “And then, maybe one or two here-and-there part time.”

“But my daughter has worked for me since she was very young. She’s a manager now,” Perry said of Carly Reyes, who also serves as the shop’s wedding consultant and web designer.

Perry and Reyes share the store’s day-to-day duties with co-workers Harvest Taniguchi, Mary Bradley and Ellen Livesay.

The Enchanted Florist works with regional wedding planners, creating everything from table arrangements to bride’s bouquets and more. It also works with local funeral homes for life’s more solemn occasions

The shop offers delivery in and around the Enchanted Circle. It’s not easy to miss their delivery vans — sporting the groovy ‘flower-power’ logo, created by Reyes.

“I was interested in flowers because, as a child, my mom was a big gardener — and I loved flowers,” said Perry, who grew up in western Kansas. “That’s why I got into the business.”

“I love peonies, but they’re only available for a very short time. And I love hyacinths — they’re also very short-season.”

“But roses — we have a lot of varieties of roses that we carry all the time. Probably one of our most popular flowers to sell are roses and lilies.”

Perry said business has been improved since they moved into their new space, and that online sales have been growing.

“I think a lot of it is our market- ing that we do online, and our point-of-sale,” Perry said, who in- vites satisfied customers to write an online review. “The reviews really help. A lot of people are shopping online. I would say our website — it’s probably built the business the most.”

“It makes it fast and easy for customers — they can shop at their own convenience. And they don’t have to wait. If we’re busy in the shop, then they can order online, and we’ll have the order ready without wasting their time,” Perry said.

The Enchanted Florist is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday.

“Right now, we’re looking forward to a big Christmas. Poinsettias are coming, and just getting ready for the hustle and bustle of Christmas delivery,” Perry said. The shop offers small artificial Christmas trees and hand-decorated wreaths, along with tree ornaments.

“And then, right around the corner is Valentine’s Day — the busiest holiday of our year.”

The Enchanted Florist

622-A Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos

575-758-3030

taosflorist.com