SMALL BIZ STAPLE. Brent Douglas Flowers has planted its roots firmly in the fabric of the community, and this year is its 20th anniversary.

Brent Douglas Flowers is one of the most adored local businesses in the Chippewa Valley. They’ve honed a unique design style that is instantly recognizable and have won numerous “Best Of” awards over the years. The flower shop celebrated its 20th anniversary this fall, and it’s been quite a journey of continued transformation and growth to hit that milestone.

The owner, Brent Stelzer, didn’t always have the dream of owning a flower shop. Growing up he enjoyed art, creating things, and gardening with his family, which naturally led to various jobs in his late teens and early 20s at flower and garden shops. Eventually, he took the leap to start his own wedding and event floral design business, which operated out of his home. But sure enough, he realized that his home did not have enough space.

When visiting his grandmother one day, Brent noticed that the building next door was adorned with a “for rent” sign and soon after, with the support of his family, he made the jump to open a full service flower shop in October 2003 at 224 N. Dewey St. in downtown Eau Claire.

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Brent was once told, ‘Take care of the people that take care of you,’ and it’s a quote that rings true through his flowers, customers, staff, and community for years past, present, and future.

Over the years at the first shop, neighbors played a big role in its success and supported Brent, his sister Nika, and the crew like a family. The unique design he is known for is just a small part of the equation that makes Brent Douglas Flowers so loved. Owning a flower shop is more than just pretty flowers.

Brent reflects on what makes this business so special and a common theme is the people: Not just the joy of working with flowers, but experiencing all walks of a person’s life. While flowers may die, their impact lasts for years. Many of the shop’s first customers are still customers to this day. Brent and Nika have witnessed these customers getting married, having children, and experiencing proms, graduations, and deaths in the family.

Sure enough, Brent began to outgrow this space, too. It was tough to leave the support of the neighborhood, so he took his time searching for a location downtown, which is where the shop currently resides at 610 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire. Previously home to an auto glass business, the shop underwent a complete overhaul from floor to ceiling, a massive DIY project that continues to change and morph to this day.

A special moment that really stands out in recent years also has to do with people, not just the flowers. When the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown occurred, Brent felt uncertain about the future of the shop as he spent months working solo. He continued to receive love from his customers as they rallied around in support of the shop. When Mother’s Day 2020 approached, staff briefly returned to help and a sense of normalcy came about. The staff are often celebrated and thought of as friends and family and are another huge component to what makes Brent Douglas Flowers what it is to this day.

Brent, far right, and some of his staff.

Throughout the years Brent and his staff have designed florals for a variety of special events – including UW-Eau Claire’s Gatsby’s Gala and Viennese Ball and downtown Eau Claire’s Grand Evening on the Bridge – and have contributed to fundraisers large and small. He also has immersed himself in the community by providing vegetable gardens on the boulevard for years; leading local art nonprofit Sculpture Tour Eau Claire as its president; continuing to teach classes at assisted living facilities; and helping creating the Color Block mural project.

As Brent Douglas Flowers comes up on another year of business, Brent’s mind is continuing to churn with ideas that are community- and arts-centric. He recently dedicated two spaces in the shop for local artists to display work – with one of them being an Artfly gallery. You can also continue to expect exceptional flower arrangements for all of life’s moments along with the same passion for the arts and community.

Brent was once told, “take care of the people that take care of you,” and it’s a quote that rings true through his flowers, customers, staff and community for years past, present and future.

Keep up with Brent Douglas Flowers (610 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire) on Facebook and learn more on its website. The shop is open Monday-Wednesday from 9am-3pm, Thursday-Friday from 9am-6pm, and Saturday from 10am-1pm.

Source: volumeone.org