New Owner, 22, For LI Florist Shop: 'Everyone Is So Welcoming'

CENTER MORICHES, NY — Pandemic or not, everything is coming up roses for Samantha Hillkewicz of Shirley, who, at 22, is the new owner of Boulevard Florist in Center Moriches.

Hillkewicz, who graduated from William Floyd High School in 2016 and SUNY Oneonta in May, has always loved flowers.

"My mother Maria Smith has worked at a florist since she was 15 years old, and moved her way up to designer/manager. She worked in the floral world until I was about three years old, over 15 years. She always dreamt of opening her own florist. When this opportunity arose, I decided I wanted to do it, as long as she was by my side. So now, here we are," Hillkewicz said.

Boulevard Florist, located at 272 Main Street in Center Moriches, has been a mainstay in the community for decades. "I hope I can live up to the legacy it has achieved," Hillkewicz said.

For Hillkewicz, the shop is a dream realized.

"One of my favorite things in life is beautiful things. Sounds cliche, but its true," she said. "Whenever I go somewhere the first thing I notice is the flowers and trees."

Her favorite thing about the business is the flowers themselves, and learning about the different kinds, Hillkewicz said. "I am enjoying going to the wholesalers and seeing the many varieties of plants and flowers that are out there," she said. "It is so satisfying to see how different flowers work so well with each other."

And along with the shop itself, it's the community that has fueled her vision, Hillkewicz said.

"The people that have been coming into the shop are so nice," she said. "The Center Moriches community is a huge reason I wanted this specific location. The shop itself has so much character. It gives me Hallmark Christmas movie vibes along with the small town Main Street feel. I just love it!"

Boulevard Florist is something straight out of a Hallmark movie with its hometown feel and Main Street charm, new owner Samantha Hillkewicz says./Courtesy Katie Goulding.
Boulevard Florist is something straight out of a Hallmark movie with its hometown feel and Main Street charm, new owner Samantha Hillkewicz says./Courtesy Katie Goulding.


Although many florists were closed in the spring of 2020 and faced hurdles during the pandemic, Hillkewicz said she hasn't encountered any coronavirus-related roadblocks so far.

She's fired up with ideas for the future of the business.

"I have a lot of plans," she said. "I want to do little classes to get the kids in the community involved with flowers. For example, around Mother's Day we want to do a 'Build Mom a bouquet' day," she said.

Another idea involves monthly subscriptions, where flowers can be automatically delivered on a certain day to someone weekly or monthly, she said.

"I really want the shop to have something for everyone," she said. "We have a wide range of prices and a variety of different products," Hillkewicz said.

And, she said, Hillkewicz sees the shop as a way to help other businesses in the area.

"With everything going on in today's world, small businesses have been hit the hardest. So, all the gift items we offer are made by local small businesses," she said. "In the future, we would like to give the opportunity to more entrepreneurs in our community to display their products in our store."

A website is also being designed so customers can purchase anything sold in the brick-and-mortar shop online.

Center Moriches is the ideal location to be launching her first business because of its strong community ties, Hillkewicz believes, adding that residents have been welcoming her with open arms since she announced on social media that she was taking the reins.

"I also love how many community events take place here," she said. "Again, there is that 'small town' feeling in such a big world. I cannot wait to be completely involved in this great community," she said.

People have reached out on Facebook and Instagram with encouraging words of support, Hillkewicz said. "I really feel like we will all be good friends soon," she said.

At just 22, Hillkewicz said she is excited to be planting deep roots as a hometown florist. "I am excited to be starting my business at such a young age in a great community. I hope to be here for a very long time," she said.

Her favorite flowers are large Gerbera daisies, Hillkewicz said. "I love how big they get and the variety of colors they come in," she said.

Flowers can soothe during the most unprecedented times, she said. "Flowers are so important because besides brightening up a room they brighten people's moods. With all that is going on in the world, flowers seem to brighten everything. Everybody that walks into the shop gets a smile on their face when they look at the fridge full of flowers. That makes me smile, too."

Hillkewicz has a message for her customers as she opens her doors: "I am very family oriented, as is the rest of my family. We hope — and cannot wait until — all of you become part of our family. If you ever need anything, we will do anything we can to help in any way."

And, Hillkewicz said the journey is that much sweeter with her mother by her side. "It has been amazing working with her for a few reasons. Number one, she’s my best friend, so most of the time we’re laughing and having a great time together."

Hillkewicz said as a new business owner, she is learning so much from her mother, who has also, along with her experience as a floral designer, owned a daycare and works in real estate.

"My mom makes everything look so easy. She’s so patient and helpful," she said. "I couldn’t have done this without her."

Boulevard Florist is located at 272 Main Street in Center Moriches. For additional information, call 631-878-0468.



This article originally appeared on the Center Moriches-Eastport Patch