Country Florist celebrates 30 years in business
Country Florist owner Kay McClain stands inside her business that offers flower arrangements of all kinds and a large selection of gift items and cards. Photo by Heather Young
Kay McClain hosts anniversary party on Dec. 13
Kay McClain of Paso Robles opened her business, Country Florist, 30 years ago in the Von’s shopping center. After 15 years in one spot, she moved the shop to a 3,000-square-foot unit at 1191 Creston Road #114. To celebrate her years in business and to thank her numerous customers, McClain will host an open house on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
McClain will serve a variety of refreshments and will have a drawing for various products donated by vendors and will give a discount for every purchase. The shop’s actual anniversary, she said, is Dec. 14.
Country Florist is located in Paso Robles in the Vons shopping center on Creston Road. Photo by Heather Young
Country Florist opened on Dec. 14, 1984. McClain said that opening the business just before Christmas was a good time because its the start of a very busy season with Christmas, Valentine’s Day , Mother’s Day and graduations.
“I think it was the perfect time to open a business,” she said.
She opened the business just one year after she moved with her family from the city.
“I just wanted to move out of the city, I wanted to raise my kids in a small community,” said the mom of two, David and Larisa, who both graduated from Paso Robles High School after attending St. Rose Catholic School from kindergarten through eighth grade.
McClain said she started doing floriculture when she was in high school through FFA.
“What happened was I needed an elective my junior year of high school,” said McClain, who went to high school in Santa Maria. “My instructor talked me into doing FFA. From that point I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”
Over the years having her own business, McClain has held strong through two recessions and slow times. To make it through, she said she’s tried to change with the times and in her large store front, she has more than just flowers. The flower business is all online as well. McClain said that customers can order securely through the business’ website, www.countryfloristandgift.com.
“We have a wonderful selection of gifts,” McClain said. “[Online ordering] makes it really convenient for people who work full-time.”
Over the years, she has grown her staff from one part-time employee to three to five employees depending on the time of year. Some of the employees are part-time and some full-time.
“I could have never done it by myself,” she said. “I’ve had great support from My parents, kids, my boyfriend Clint, and all my incredible friends and customers.”
She said that she plans to keep the business going for years to come because she’s not yet ready for retirement.
