Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin McCarthy.
Sylvia’s – Amling’s Flowers has a rich history rooted in Chicagoland. Amling’s Flowerland started with humble beginnings in 1889 in Melrose Park. Throughout the years, Amling’s became known for providing “every bloomin’ thing” to Chicagoland residents. Their reputation, flower quality, and service made Amling’s a household name over the years as they continued to open new locations throughout Chicago suburbs and at their peak had over 20 locations including a wholesale flower division. Amling’s Flowerland was known for their community involvement as well as their cherished haunted house, a favorite tradition among locals. As the flower business changed over the years, Amling’s began to shut down locations and faced bankruptcy in 2007. However, 3rd generation florist, Brian McCarthy, purchased Amling’s when only a few stores remained and has worked hard to revitalize the historic florist. Today, Amling’s Flowerland has two Chicagoland locations – one in Elmhurst and one in Arlington Heights, which partnered with Sylvia’s Flowers. Sylvia’s – Amling’s Flowers continues to deliver love throughout the Chicagoland area and provides farm-fresh flowers, unique designs, wedding services, and more.
Has it been a smooth road?
The biggest challenge has been revitalizing the renowned Amling’s Flowersland brand after years of changes and downsizing before we purchased it. Since we are family-owned and know the importance of reputation, we continue to work hard to let people know that Amling’s Flowerland is still in business and service is better than ever before! Many people don’t know that Amling’s Flowerland is still in business at all because the local shop in their neighborhood had shutdown years ago. But we still deliver all over Chicagoland and now bring in most of our product direct from farms all over the world for the best freshness and prices anywhere! Although we don’t have all the locations we used to, Amling’s Flowerland is better than ever before and still delivers to thousands of happy customers in Chicagoland ever year.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Sylvia’s – Amling’s Flowers story. Tell us more about the business.
We are known for our expert hand-designed fresh flowers. We purchase most of our flowers direct from farms and growers and not through wholesalers, meaning that we get the freshest flowers available and can sell them at unbeatable prices. We have years of experts in the flower business and have a phenomenal wedding team as well. We are most proud of being a family owned florist that can continue the great Sylvia’s-Amling’s Flowerland names and maintain their excellent reputation.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The flower industry has changed tremendously over the past 25 years. Now, it seems like flowers are everywhere – from boxed delivery to being in grocery stores. But we believe there is a difference between hand-designed and expertly crafted flowers that we provide to our customers. Many people buy online now from major competitors, not knowing that most of these websites don’t ever touch a flower arrangement. There are not many traditional retail florists left. Studies say there were about 36,000 florists in the 1990s, and there are less than 12,000 today. Our industry has changed but we believe that florists who provide a personal touch with expert designers and unique creations will always have a place. Even though we have websites like chicagoflowers.com where our customers can order from us, they can still visit us in store and see real, experienced floral artisans creating masterpieces from scratch. There’s something special about that and we think people like it.
Pricing:
- We offer everything from grab-and-go dozen roses at $9.95 to floral masterpieces for thousands of dollars, and everything in between.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1820 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
and 331 N. York Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126 - Website: www.chicagoflowers.com
- Phone: Arlington Heights (847) 255-4680 or Elmhurst (630) 530-5700
- Email: customerservice@chicagoflowers.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sylviasamlings/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmlingsFlowers/
- Other: www.sfbuds.com
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