By Sara Wiercinski
Just in time for the Day of Love, Studio Dan Meiners has a new home at 7432 Wornall Rd. The longtime Kansas City florist and event planning outfit will also change its name to Studio Floral and Events.
“It’s a soft opening. We are excited because we’ve officially sold things to people we don’t know,” said Gale Nation, Sales & Project Management Supervisor.
The space was formerly home to Dave Smith the Lamp Maker, which closed in January 2020.
“We outgrew our old location,” said Nation. Studio Dan Meiners was located at 2500 W Pennway, south of Union Station. “There was not much foot traffic along Pennway, so we are excited to be back where there are people.”
The new store adds a retail shop selling bouquets and arrangements, plants and gifts. Nation says she will switch out products often so there is always something new. In addition to floral arrangements, Studio Floral and Events also produces weddings and corporate events including lighting, audio or furniture rental and holiday decor.
“We put up and take down about 100 trees each Christmas,” said Nation.
The new space has a showroom, a conference room for wedding and event consultations and space for hands-on events. Nation plans to host a lettering workshop and a charm necklace pop-up event for the spring.
Justin McGuire has been head floral designer for 24 years. His workshop is full of flowers shipped in from around the world: tulips from Holland; roses from Colombia and Venezuela; and protea and orchids from South Africa. Anthuriums typically ship from Hawaii, but McGuire’s wholesaler recently sourced a new greenhouse-grower in Canada, making for quicker and cheaper shipping.
“We have not been able to source flowers locally in season because of the sheer volume required for weddings,” said McGuire. “Now that we have a retail store, we can sell grab-and-go bouquets of anything pretty. It does not have to match a color theme.”
A local growers market will provide midwest favorites like dahlias, sunflowers, zinnias and cockscomb during the summer and early fall months.
The studio typically works on one or two weddings per weekend. McGuire says flower trends change quickly thanks to social media.
Right now, McGuire says, black foliage is the hot trend. “It’s dramatic and very formal.”
“Cala lilies are also making a comeback,” he added.
Tropicals are also popular, McGuire says, even though they are not typically considered romantic. He sees some brides gravitate toward lavender and other pastel shades popularized by Taylor Swift.
“People tend to think June is the big month for weddings, but it’s more like May and September, October,” said McGuire. “The weather is better, and in the fall, you have more flower choices because there has been a full growing season.”
The remodeled interior is unrecognizable from the Lamp Maker days. The space is large and open and painted black with modern glass partitions. A giant walk-in cooler from the old location was dismantled panel by panel and reassembled in the new space. Bolstering sustainability, the studio also uses all-electric delivery vans.
In addition to flowers, McGuire says he is excited to offer a variety of high quality potted plants, which are “perfect for all these new condos going up around here.” He recommends ZZ palm, peace lily and pathos as easy-to-grow starter plants.
Nation said she and the team have received lots of support from neighboring businesses. They created and delivered bouquets to Dobson’s, Crow’s Coffee, Waldo Pizza, Jovitos and others. “We want everyone to know how happy we are to be here. Plus flowers just make people happy,” said Nation.
Jovito’s owner Leasa Caron says she is “thrilled” to see the studio move in a few doors down from her restaurant.
“Now all the storefronts are full. And the way they painted the front and renovated it — it really looks great.”
Dan Meiners founded Studio Dan Meiners in 2000 and retired last year. An official grand opening party is planned for early April.
“It’s fun, bright and happy,” said Nation. “We want people to visit and feel welcome.”
Discover more from Martin City Telegraph
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.