CAZENOVIA — In January, Central New York native Jasmine Rae opened a new floral design and gift shop at 61 Albany St. in Cazenovia.
In addition to selling flowers in-store, Jasmine Rae Floral Design delivers arrangements throughout Cazenovia and the surrounding area.
“I provide [flowers] for weddings and events, every day/holiday needs, and weekly hotel and restaurant accounts,” Rae said. “I also sell a variety of house plants and succulents, candles, greeting cards, essential oils, crystals, etc.”
Rae officially opened for business on Jan. 23, after working since August to remodel the interior of the store, which was previously occupied by Blushing Rose Boutique.
According to Rae, the renovation involved painting the walls, installing new floors and trim, updating the checkout desk and office, and removing the dressing rooms to make room for a flower cooler.
“So far, everyone has been extremely warm and welcoming,” she said. “My favorite part of it all is meeting everyone and getting to know them as customers. I already have a handful of loyal customers who have been coming in a few times a week since the beginning, and I can’t wait to gain more over time.”
Born in Syracuse, Rae moved to southern California with her mother at the age of four, returning to CNY each year to visit family and friends.
The florist discovered her interest in design at the age of 20 while working at a beachside hotel in California.
“We would receive a beautiful floral arrangement for the lobby weekly, and something just clicked in me that designing was something I wanted to pursue,” she said. “From there I traveled to LA and San Francisco, taking course after course on designing and also working in shops and design studios. Over the past 10 years I’ve lived in four different states, always with the same career and end goal in mind.”
After deciding to settle down in Central New York to be near her family, Rae began searching for a perfect location to open a shop.
“I found it here, in the heart of Cazenovia,” she said. “The amount of creativity and support in this community is so inspiring and something I am very excited to be a part of.”
For more information, visit the Jasmine Rae Floral Design Facebook page, or call 315-815-5043.
