Operators of Country Treasures Floral and More are pictured on opening day in the store’s renovated garage space, from left, Kim Young, Kayla Kafka and Kendra Schlachter. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Holyoke florist opens with new building, new owner
Country Treasures Floral and More may be Holyoke’s newest florist, but its three operators have had a hand in the flower business for a long time.
Since moving to Holyoke in 1990, owner Kim Young has been involved with multiple local florists, including Flower Station, Flower Garden and Snapdragon Floral.
Kayla Kafka, who is Young’s daughter, and Kendra Schlachter worked at Snapdragon Floral as well, helping owner Christie Kage.
When Kage put her store’s inventory up for sale earlier this year, Young decided it was time to start a shop of her own.
“I got the bug again, and when the opportunity arose, it sounded like it was a good fit and everything just fell into place,” she said.
Country Treasures Floral and More opened for the first time last Thursday, Nov. 8, in a newly renovated location at 201 E. Denver St.
The name of the shop was taken from a series of crafts that the three had produced previously, and the building, which is also owned by Young, includes a garage formerly used to house an antique fire truck owned by Kim’s husband, Steve. The garage was renovated extensively to make a home for the business — an effort that lasted from March through November.
Today, the garage has new doors and windows, and an insulated ceiling. But getting the space up to snuff structurally was half the battle. To turn the garage into a home for their business, the store filled the space, and the two adjoining rooms, with Christmas decorations.
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