ARCHIVE

New/old store is blooming on Marion Main Street

Staff reporter

Kraft Korner and The Flower Shoppe is no more.

But do not fret, Marion shoppers, because Brenda's Bloomers & Gifts has taken its place.

Owners Brenda and David McGinness wanted to scale back the size of the store and downsize inventory to make the business more efficient.

The previous store, located at 404 E. Main, was adequate when McGinness had the businesses of Kraft Korner and Casual Closet, a clothing store.

When she discontinued the clothing line, she tried different retail items but nothing really filled the floor space.

"It was a matter of economics," said Brenda McGinness. Why pay heating and air conditioning for space that's not being used?

An empty building across the street and down a block was for sale and the McGinness' decided to make the move.

After a few weeks of discounting certain items and selling some fixtures and furniture, the store at 404 E. Main closed and a new store opened at 329 E. Main.

The building at Fourth and Main streets is owned by Centre Lodge 147 and currently is for sale.

Not only did the owners scale down floor space and discontinue slow sellers, they also decided to offer different items.

"Some of our inventory is different," said McGinness. New items that are functional and fun replaced previous items that had run their course.

"There are a lot of gift ideas between $10 and $20," McGinness explained. "And we're including more things for men and children (instead of just women)."

The business' emphasis is the floral shop. Live and silk floral arrangements are available for special occasions — birthdays, weddings, funerals, anniversaries, and graduations.

Cash and carry floral arrangements are available in a small cooler, located near the floral department.

Live plants — green and blooming — also are available. Free delivery, for orders of $10 or more, is available within the city and McGinness is willing to deliver anywhere in the county for a small fee.

A bridal section with wedding supplies also is in the works which would include a bridal registry.

McGinness plans to offer special prices on flowers on Fridays, calling it Flower Friday.

In addition to floral arrangements, McGinness also sells arrangements with balloons and candy, and gift bags and boxes.

Some of the more popular and unique new items are pop-up greeting cards and body wash in fun-shaped plastic bags.

Bird feeders, children's books, jewelry, candle tealights, wall hangings, canisters, desktop battery-operated metal sculptures, and items for the kitchen also are new to the boutique.

Souvenir Kansas University and Kansas State University items, bath and body products, trivets, cutting boards, table linens, and ceramic gifts are available.

Some items from the previous store were brought to the new location like coffee beans, Boyd's Bears, fudge, and a soda fountain.

The McGinness' purchased the building which includes ample floor space, a store room, and an upstairs apartment for additional income.

"I wanted something different for a name," said McGinness, "something different and catchy."

The store is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

"I like this location because it's in between two other retailers (Duckwall's and Custom Threads)," said McGinness. "It can't help but benefit all of us."

Quantcast