Breezy's Distinctive Floral: Joplin, Missouri's Truly "Distinctive" Florist

Breezy's Distinctive Floral & Event Design remains one of the most highly-recommended florists in the Joplin, Missouri area even after changing up the business name and relocating to a larger city two-and-a-half years ago.

Formerly Breezy's Floral & Gifts, the business moved from it's original location in the quaint, Mayberry-esque town of Seneca, MO to nearby Joplin, MO in the fall of 2006. After two years of day-to-day floral and gift sales, owner Debbie Mitchell re-conformed her business to almost exclusively wedding and event floral services. Leading up to the business transition was a six-month run of services for the recently-opened Downstream Casino & Resort near Quapaw, OK, which may have served as inspiration to focus more on event planning.

The "events only" business move has proven successful with dozens of weddings, bridal showers, receptions, fundraisers, and parties having come to fruition to date and many more on the calendar. Even without day-to-day floral orders, Debbie remains busy.

"Life is to be celebrated, and people are always celebrating something," Debbie comments in regard to her calendar remaining relatively full of weddings and other events to provide decor for. "You do notice that with changes in the economy there are changes in customers' spending habits, but even a few flowers can make all the difference in the 'vibe' at your party."

The 'vibe' at the events Debbie provides for is certainly a positive one - even cool and funky. The Breezy's business has prided itself on being distinctive in its work compared to other florists by "breaking out of the ordinary and bringing you the extraordinary." You'll seldom see carnations or Baby's Breath in Debbie's arrangements or bouquets, but rather the more exotic Maggie Oei and Lady Slipper orchids or Calla lilies, just for example (I admit I had to "Google" those just to figure out what they were, having been a carnations and Baby's Breath man myself for years.).

When I casually talk about Breezy's with locals, the most common rave is along the lines of the business being "one of the best - if not THE best - around." It says something significant, I think, when one can identify an artists' work just by sight. At a reception set-up for the annual Girls Night Out fundraiser held at Downstream Casino & Resort in June 2009, some passerbys noticed the centerpieces and simply commented, "Oh yeah, those are cool. Definitely from Breezy's!"

The Breezy's website (www.breezysfloral.com) underwent some renovation in the summer of 2009 and includes photo galleries of various arrangements, bouquets, and event set-ups as well as a more information on Debbie's background in the floral industry. Even with her vast experience, Debbie admits that she is always looking outside her own little "extraordinary flower shop" for further inspiration from florists from around the world. She attended a floral design institute in Portland, Oregon in the spring of 2009 and plans on further studies with the American Institute of Floral Designers.

"There's always something new out there, things we haven't tried," Debbie said, adding, "and we hope to continue striving to provide the best for our customers and make whatever their occasion is as positively memorable as possible. You put some love in the work, and you make it happen."

Breezy's Distinctive Floral & Event Design is currently located at 2122 S. Main Street in Joplin, MO. Local phone number is 417-623-0468. Hours by appointment only.