By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
What sat vacant for several months has been revived into a renewed cornerstone for floral services in Plainville, thanks to the Brewster family.
Joe and Lolly Brewster bought the location, 200 W. Mill St., after quietly eyeing it for four months. Lolly said an unexpected message soon arrived, setting their family on a new chapter.
"The realtor texted me in September of last year and asked, 'Do you have any interest?' and I said, 'How did you know?' because I've never pursued it," Lolly said.
Lolly said she has always loved floral design, landscaping and interior design, but she never envisioned her niche becoming a career. Paradise Flats Gifts & Florals carries locally made items along with a variety of other gifts and décor available for delivery.
Their inventory includes custom seasonal arrangements, roses and a variety of wrapped bouquets. The shop’s shelves are lined with gifts such as stuffed animals, popcorn, candles, health and beauty items, religious items and seasonal décor.
The Brewster family began remodeling as soon as they purchased the shop on Nov. 21, 2024, but chose to remain open throughout the process to ensure Rooks County continued to have access to its floral services. The business was previously known as Mill Street Market.
Paradise Flats celebrated its one-year anniversary this month with an open house.
"We're very grateful to Deanna Hammerschmidt, the previous owner, and Carol Van Dyke, the owner before Deanna. We've learned from both of them and it's been very beneficial," Lolly said.
Its floral services cover a wide range of holidays and occasions. These include prom, homecoming, graduations and cemetery arrangements with delivery. The shop also provides tuxedo rentals and purchases through Jim’s Formal Wear, with measurements done in-house.
The shop also offers subscription packages for recurring monthly flower deliveries. With the first order, customers receive a vase that is reused for each subsequent arrangement.
The family of eight runs the business together, handling in-store services and social media marketing. Lolly said their family was deeply rooted in the community long before purchasing the shop and continues to strengthen those ties through their relationships with customers.
Joe said, "We wanted to provide a place where people could still shop locally versus going to Hays or Phillipsburg."
"We're not professionals by any means, but we try to serve our community," Lolly said.
Lolly graduated from Plainville High School and later earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Washburn University. She spent about 11 years in the nursing field before stepping away as their family grew to six children.
The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
You can view Paradise Flats Gifts & Florals' services on its website and follow them on Facebook.
