Business of the Week: Flower Essence

We buy flowers for any number of reasons: to convey sympathy, to congratulate, to honor, to mourn, to well-wish, to show appreciation, to express love, or maybe even “just because.”

“Nothing expresses your emotion like the gift of flowers,” says the website of Flower Essence, a floral shop just off of Tatamy Road, across the street from the old Bushkill Park.

So, of all the places to buy flowers, why choose one over another? Brandi Lynch, owner of Flower Essence, has the answer.

“I have really great flowers,” she said, and she’s only half-joking. As a partner with both FTD and 1-800-Flowers, Flower Essence has a premium selection on just about any type of flower one could want.

If that’s not enough, Lynch elaborates with another reason: “[Flower Essence] doesn’t charge the service fees that most shops will. I don’t think it’s fair.”

The shop has been open at its Bushkill Park Drive location since 1994. Lynch, who was working as a floral designer at the time, took it over five years ago.

“Before [Flower Essence] I was working at a really busy shop in the Poconos… and freelancing all over the place,” she explained.

When the opportunity came to strike out on her own and have her own store, she took up the mantle. As the sole proprietor of Flower Essence, Lynch stays busy running her business, particularly during these spring and summer wedding-season months.

When it comes to weddings, Lynch cites some of the most popular flower styles as roses, calla lilies, orchids and hydrangeas.

“But everyone has their own style,” she added. Flower Essence does free floral consultations for weddings -- one more reason why plenty of brides-to-be choose Flower Essence.

The small shop, which is next door to Casa Italia, also provides flowers for the two gift shops inside St. Luke’s Hospital. Through that affiliation, the shop has provided flowers not only to the hospital, but also for their charity balls and events.

Flower Essence touts itself as both a flower and gift shop. It sells a variety of gift items, such as greeting cards, baskets, home accents, vases and balloons. The store also carries easy-care house plants and indoor blooming plants.

Right now, hanging flower baskets are a popular seller. Lynch keeps the colorful baskets outside the store, flanking the entrance so that customers can peruse before they come in. The baskets, perfect for a porch or patio, are on sale for the summer starting at $10 each.

Flower Essence is at 2149 Bushkill Park Drive in Forks Township. The shop is open Monday through Saturday, but store hours vary, so call ahead.

Delivery is daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the store delivers as far west as Allentown and as far east as Phillipsburg. Flower Essence also offers free delivery to hospitals or funerals.

Many of the shop’s floral and gift basket options are on its website at http://eastonpaflorist.com/, or visit the store on Facebook for news and new items.