This Sunday, April 17, marks another Easter Sunday—a holiday that the late Lynne Downs Moore (Winkler) enjoyed.  

Lynne loved to celebrate all that’s beautiful with others so much that she started delivering balloons out of her home in the early 1980s. She and her then husband, Lanny Moore, bought the flower shop in January of 1984.  

“She loved the flower shop and you could say she lived and breathed Flowers For Keeps until she passed in December 2015,” said her daughter-in-law, Jenifer Moore, who now co-owns and operates the shop with husband, Chris Moore.  

“Besides her children and grandchildren, it was her passion for life.”  

After she passed, Chris wanted to keep his mom’s memory alive by continuing the business.  

“We have a wonderful staff that do an awesome job, keeping the place running from day to day: Carolyn Travis, Paula Williams, Kris Hill, Frances Beasley, Nancy Ragnoni, John Wheeler, Lanny Moore, and Virginia McKnight,” said Jenifer.  

The staff also has many kind words for the Moores. “What great people they are to work for,” said Paula Williams.  

“And we all think the world of them. We have never worked for someone as caring as they are about their employees.”  

That same professionalism and caring earned Flowers for Keeps a BloomNation online marketplace award for 2021.  

The letter they received from California stated, “Customers on BloomNation love you. Reviews poured in for your shop in 2021 and it become quite obvious that you’re one of the best florists in the country.” 

One review stated, “My friend was thrilled with her flowers. Ordering process was very easy and delivery was on time.”  

So how do you reach such a pinnacle in the floral business?  

Most of the staff at Flowers for Keeps say they learned by “watching and doing.” They aren’t afraid to admit that they literally started their floral business from the ground up.  

“You just look around, jump in and get the work done,” advises Jenifer. “Most everyone has delivered, made a bow, cleaned the cooler out, cleaned flowers, watered plants, worked all night on a holiday, answered the phones, wrapped a plant, waited on a customer....and on and on. There is a lot that goes into a flower shop, behind the scenes.”  

While preparing for Easter weekend, Jenifer reflects on the local, family-owned business.  

“It is one of those jobs that gets done with a little creativity, a lot of hard work, and a big smile. We try to put our hearts into everything we do. Ms. Carolyn [Travis] says she feels like this is her way to help bring some joy to those who are hurting. And I think we all feel that way too.”  

Flowers for Keeps offers fresh and silk flowers and gift items.  

“We have several customers that come in and buy fresh stems right out of the cooler, and we sell silk bushes too,” said Jenifer.  

Inside the store one might enjoy shopping for fresh vases and baskets for those arrangements. Flowers for Keeps also arranges funeral sprays and cemetery flowers and delivers to hospitals and funeral homes.  

Call 931-684-6863 or go to www.flowers4keeps.comor www.facebook.com/ flowers4keeps for more information. Store hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4p.m. Wednesday hours are9 a.m., to 2 p.m. Saturdays are 9 a.m. to noon (a little later on holidays.)