Boutique Florist A ‘Dream Come True’
/By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com
Akvile Zilinskis, owner of Floras Avenue in Huntington, provides and organic-vintage style to her European flower boutique, focusing on detail and stylish color schemes with each arrangement.
Imagine walking through a forest with thin branches and vines with green leaves. It’s the scenery that decorates the walls, as tabletops display color from the flowers that peek out from the birch container arrangements at Floras Avenue in Huntington.
Along with its organic look and vintage style, the European flower boutique provides elegance and simplicity to its arrangements while focusing on detail and stylish color schemes.
“This is what people really like. They want different,” said owner Akvile Zilinskis, of Huntington.
Field flower arrangements, wood and succulents are popular elements that Zilinskis includes in designs at Floras, at 233 Main St.
With the strong competition in the floral industry, Zilinskis said her unique style helps the business “survive” and stand out from other flower shops.
While weddings are its biggest sales source, the boutique offers arrangements for celebratory events, corporate gifts and designs decorative pieces for offices.
Zilinskis said that trending items within the boutique are smaller, compact, succulent arrangements with pastel colors and textures.
Although the business slows down during the winter, Zilinskis said things pick up for holidays like Valentine’s Day and Easter. Then spring arrives brings Mother’s Day and weddings.
“Seasonal flowers are very popular,” Zilinskis said, adding that it’s exciting when spring and summer flowers come in, including dahlias, orchids, garden roses, peonies and more.
Picking its selection through local growers, like J. Merullo Imports Wholesale Flowers in Plainview and Twenty Eight Street Wholesale Flowers in Manhattan, Floras Avenue also seeks its items from local residents by sending out requests for greens, flowers or branches.
“I’m very happy to involve local people, as well as suppliers,” Zilinskis said.
Growing up in Lithuania, Zilinskis gained her experience as a floral designer at her parents’ flower boutique. She carried the tradition over when moving to Huntington seven years ago.
Working at City Blossoms in Manhattan, Zilinskis decided to branch out on her own and opened up Floras in 2012.
“This is my dream come true. It’s my passion,” Zilinskis said. “I’m very happy right now.”
Since the 1,000-square-foot shop opened, the client base continues to grow while maintaining loyal customers, such as Huntington Country Club and Huntington Crescent Club.
With five employees, including an Italian designer and a Swedish designer, Zilinskis said the team envisions what its clients want in an arrangement and makes their dreams come true.
“Each client, each event brings a new challenge, a different quest and they trust us,” Zilinskis said. “They’re happy with what we’re doing here and this is a big inspiration to do more and even bigger. We want to be famous here.”
