Business blooms for Wassaic flower shop

WASSAIC — Images of butterflies and ladybugs are hard to avoid at Monarch Creations, a new flower and decorations shop located on Route 22 in Wassaic. They’re even a part of the store logo.The new business is owned by Melissa Conklin, and if a flower shop in that location strikes a familiar chord, it’s because she purchased the business from Judy Marshall, who ran Judy’s Flower Shop there for more than a decade and still owns the building.“It’s really just something I always wanted to do,” Conklin said. “I’m the crafty one in the family, and I have a lot of hands-on, self-taught experience.”Conklin said the goal for her business is that everything that comes out of the store will be a hand-crafted and unique piece.“Creation is part of the name,” she said. “It’s about creating gifts for people that you can’t just go to any store and buy.”In addition to flowers (and there are a wide variety that can be ordered daily), there are specialty baskets, candles and soaps, among other items.Going back to the theme of butterflies and monarchs, Conklin said the images are in memory of her father and close family members, several of whom she lost during the last year.“They really gave me the inspiration to go for it and open the business now,” she said.Although the store has opened its doors to customers already, there will be a grand opening Saturday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to noon, with refreshments served and gifts at sale prices.“This is where I bought my flowers,” she said of the store. “The location means a lot to me. One door closes and another one opens.”Monarch Creations is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Reach the business at 845-373-7053 or by email at monarchcreations11@gmail.com.