ZEELAND — A popular West Michigan flower market has expanded and opened a new location in Zeeland.

Stems Market — which opened 12 years ago in Grandville — opened its second location at 26 N. State St. in Zeeland on Monday, Feb. 13.

Owners Jeff and Michelle Drake didn’t anticipate opening a second location at first, but after encouragement from customers, they decided to expand closer to the lakeshore.

“We got to the point where we could see that, as we expanded our delivery area, it made more sense to service closer to the lakeshore,” Jeff said. “It's kind of been on the docket for a couple of years and when this spot came up, it seemed to be the perfect mix of what we were hunting for.”

Jeff said they're still working on the final touches, including painting the front windows, but wanted to be ready for the Valentine’s Day push.

“Flowers can be purchased by the stem and we have a staff that's ready and waiting to help customers make a bouquet or make a vase,” Jeff said. “We're going to supply the flowers in the method the customer wants to use them, on a daily basis.”

To ensure customers receive the freshest flowers possible, the Drakes have a third location solely used for preparation and storage. There, they receive shipments from around the world, before flowers arrive to their storefronts.

Those looking for Stems flowers will also find mini-markets at Flowerland stores in Kentwood, Wyoming and Comstock Park.

The Drakes plan to get involved in the local community through schools and local nonprofits. So far, they said, the community has been supportive.

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“We've been blown away by the reception,” Jeff said. “It's been just amazing."

Learn more at stemsmarket.com.

— Contact freelancer Austin Metz at ametz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Grandville's Stems Market opens flower shop in Zeeland