Today’s featured business is part of our #StartSmall series, encouraging members of our region to start their holiday shopping with local small business first. Through the month of December, we’ll get to know the faces of small business through conversation with local business owners.
Today we meet Matt and Bronwyn Douglas of Kistner’s Flowers! The business has been a staple of the Manhattan community and we were thrilled that they took a few minutes out of their day to share a little bit about their experience in the community with us.
What’s your business backstory?
Bronwyn and Matt Douglas hold two bouquets from their shop. Check out their offerings here.
Kistner’s Flowers is celebrating our 75th year in 2021 and is one of Manhattan’s oldest businesses. We purchased Kistner’s Flowers in 2006 and are the 3rd owners, each family before us ran and operated it for approximately 30 years each, so we are 15 years in and loving every minute of it! We are both K-State graduates, with Matt’s horticulture degree and Bronwyn’s art degree running a flower shop together seemed like the perfect way to utilize our strengths and be able to work together, which is our favorite.
What experience do you want people to have in your business?
When people come out to our shop or call to speak with us, we want them to leave feeling that they were seen, heard, and are leaving as a new friend. Relationships with members of our community greatly matters to us. We continually attend any opportunity for continued education and strive to keep up with trends so that we can offer unparalleled service, meticulous attention to detail, and flower designs that share your vision and your sentiments flawlessly.
Tell us why you love what you do.
We get the opportunity daily to share our talents in some of the most intimate times in peoples lives; weddings, funerals, anniversaries, etc. These moments are milestones in people’s lives and we offer something artistic to enhance an already fabulous day or help bring something beautiful to a day that is incredibly sad and help to honor a loved one.
We also love that we are getting to raise our family in a family-owned business environment. It allows more time with our kids and with each other, as we are a great husband and wife team in the shop and at home.
What do you offer Manhattan that no one else does?
Both owners, Matt and Bronwyn Douglas, are AIFD accredited, one of the highest honors that a florist can receive in our industry. There are only about 1600 members worldwide, and just a handful of couples that both have this accreditation. We are always striving to bring you a custom-curated flowers presentation that captures the sentiment and vibe of each occasion.
We love to hear stories about people who’ve found their niche here in the Flint Hills. Shop local this holiday season by surprising your loved ones with a nice arrangement from Kistner’s Flowers!
