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Date: 10/7/2021
HAMPDEN - A new shop in the Hampden Mini Mall encourages customers to stop and smell the roses.
Kinderhook Flower and Gift owner Brittney Procon's vision for her business is rooted in offering floral and gift options for busy people. When describing her business to the Hampden Planning Board, Procon talked about maintaining a database of customers and emailing them ahead of special occasions and milestones to offer convenient gifting options.
The shop will also be a hands-on florist, with options for people who want to stop in to pick up some flowers.
"We're going to have a lot of DIY, interactive-style" experiences, Procon said. "Bring your kid in and we'll help them make a bouquet for their mom," she gave as an example. The shop will also feature a "stem bar" from which customers can pick and choose which flowers to include in a bouquet.
As the seasons change, Procon said, that the flowers they offer will also change. The shop will continue to offer a variety of popular flowers, but a large part of their business is promoting arrangements as gifts for events and holidays. Procon said seasonal arrangements are more economical, easier to source and more environmentally friendly, as they will not have to be flown in from other states and countries. If someone has a special request for something that the florist doesn't have on hand, she said, "We'll try our best."
The second part of the Kinderhook Flower and Gift, the gifts, are curated to offer something different. "If you can order it on Amazon, you're probably not going to find it here," Procon said. "I love introducing some of the local brands we have here. A lot of our brands have backstories," such as the Connecticut-based homemade dog treat business that began as a way to help a sick family pet or the jewelry that is made by women in Asia who have escaped exploitation.
Entering the floral industry wasn't an expected next step for Procon, who spent the past 15 years in the banking industry, but she said it felt natural for her.
"It's always been a hobby of mine," Procon said. "I always grew up with fresh flowers in the house. My mom was into it, my grandmother was. There's something about walking into a house with fresh flowers that makes it feel homey."
Kinderhook Flower and Gift is located at 13 Allen St. and will be open Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.