March 29, 2024

Getting Personal

Oct. 31, 2007
Walk into Monarch Garden & Floral Design in downtown Petoskey and you’re likely to see a designer at work. With a walk-in glass flower cooler and an interactive work station, customers can even participate in the process. But this colorful indoor oasis is more than just a flower store.
“It’s full retail home and garden accessories – 2,000 square feet of retail space,” says Brian Babbitt, who co-owns the shop along with partner William Santos. Customers will enjoy meandering through abundant displays showcasing items perfect for gift-giving or accessorizing. Nature lovers will appreciate organic potting soil and lotions as well as herbal bug repellents, soap and soy candles. Women especially appreciate the delicate flower arrangements and those aforementioned scented products.
And if you’re looking for a finishing touch to your living space, you can choose from a wide selection of silk flowers, vases and more, sure to complement any type of environment.

PERSONALIZED DESIGNS
“We are completely independent, so we don’t subscribe to any wire services,” explains Babbitt. “That allows us to be in control of our own designs.”
From small arrangements perfect for the dining room table to eight-foot wedding and party pieces, Monarch’s designers can do it all - just don’t expect a typical arrangement like those advertised in magazines.
“We do unique, creative florals,” says Babbitt. “We typically don’t do pre-done arrangements.” Creative use of color and texture is important to Monarch’s designers, and they encourage customers to bring in their own vintage containers and design ideas.
“We listen to what people want and give them that,” says Babbitt. “We’re not taking a cookie cutter approach to it.”

EXPERIENCE COUNTS
Head designer is Santos, who recently moved from Puerto Rico and brings a wealth of design experience with him; he previously did set execution for a large department store.
“William really has the experience on the floral and design side,” says Babbitt. “He’s been to school for both floral and interior design. My expertise is more on the business side. I was the general manager for a large manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico. I do the graphic design pieces and advertising, and William handles the creative end of it.”
And joining Babbitt and Santos are designers Gary Albert and Anne Thrush.

LIFE CHANGE
Babbitt was raised in Northern Michigan, but left nearly 15 years ago to pursue a business career. The significance of his return can be seen in the store’s name. “Monarch is indigenous to Northern Michigan. It’s a symbol of transformation,” says Babbitt. “On a personal basis, this was a transformation to come back home; and on a business basis, it’s about people transforming their homes, and we like to be part of that.”
Arriving home just in time for the store’s opening on June 21 of this year – the first day of summer – was the start of Babbitt’s new beginning.
“We liked the beauty of Petoskey,” he says. “It’s a great place to come home to.”

Visit Monarch Garden & Floral Design at 442 E. Mitchell St., Petoskey, or call them at 231-347-7449. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday, 12-5 p.m. Their web site is www.monarchgfd.com but is still under development. Floral design classes and private floral design parties are also available.

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