Topeka's Breezy Designs by Shirls flower shop surprises in times of joy, sorrow and love

Keishera Lately, Topeka Capital-Journal
·4 min read
Shirley Wright, owner of Breezy Designs by Shirls, 2828 S.W. Arrowhead Road, smiles through an assortment of floral arrangements prepared for customers.
Shirley Wright, owner of Breezy Designs by Shirls, 2828 S.W. Arrowhead Road, smiles through an assortment of floral arrangements prepared for customers.

A new flower shop in the capital city is aiming for a comfortable atmosphere as soon as you walk through the door.

Breezy Designs by Shirls, 2828 S.W. Arrowhead Road, opened Feb. 2. Owner Shirley Wright said she has been pleased with the volume of business so far.

The name Breezy Designs was inspired by Wright's daughter, Briana Santiago, who is a former Shawnee Heights track and field athlete.

Whether it be for birthdays, weddings, proms or funerals, there's not an occasion where Wright said she can't provide a floral arrangement.

"There's a litany of things that can happen with flowers," Wright said. "As far as weddings, sadly enough funerals, and just every day someone wants to make their own home beautiful. It's for the giving of others and to yourself and that's what I always promote."

Shirley Wright's interest in flowers is helping to inspire others

A bouquet of candy bars and flowers are shown by Shirley Wright, right, owner of Breezy Designs by Shirls, and employee Kassie Barnhart.
A bouquet of candy bars and flowers are shown by Shirley Wright, right, owner of Breezy Designs by Shirls, and employee Kassie Barnhart.

Wright's love for flowers began early as a young girl as she played outside around flowers. She often made her own personal arrangements with friends. Though she doesn't have a favorite, she said she sways toward pink and white peonies, as she saw those most in her yard the most as a child.

"I love really bright colors," she said. "Pinks and oranges, the fuchsias."

Later, she volunteered with a former florist, Amy Cronister, who showed her the particulars of how arrangements should look and cared for. Her time there inspired her to pursue the florist realm as a career. During the pandemic, Wright began offering home services, and customers called for her to open a storefront.

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Wright said she tries to give her employees the same listening ear and mentoring she received.

Arminda Guerrero recently started working in the floral shop after placing an order. Now, she's quickly learning everything there is to know about flowers by working alongside Wright.

"I definitely love how she's been received by the community, from being a new business," Guerrero said. "I love just the outpouring of support that she has got. She's been teaching me, or anybody, about the secrets of how to make arrangements.

"I never knew I would stumble onto the flower."

Customers can expect to 'come in and spend a little moment'

A closeup of the flowers in an arrangement at Breezy Designs by Shirls highlights the variety and placement learned through experience by owner Shirley Wright.
A closeup of the flowers in an arrangement at Breezy Designs by Shirls highlights the variety and placement learned through experience by owner Shirley Wright.

Customers will walk out of Breezy Designs by Shirls with more than flowers. They'll have been heard and appreciated.

"I think what I can say that is a staple and what I want to serve is that you get a little bit of attitude," Wright said. "You get a little bit of compassion. And I'm not just saying, 'Here.' You don't just come in here and grab it and go to the cash register and you're out.

"You know, you come in and you can kind of spend a little moment."

Wright spent many years giving back to the Topeka community, serving as a foster parent, working at Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging and Valeo Behavioral Health Care, and being a substitute teacher for Topeka Public Schools.

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Now, with her new shop open, she hopes to continue lending a helping hand and educating others.

Wright plans to begin a youth program called "My Little Buds, Watch Me Grow." She said the program would meet once a month to educate children about flower, including when to water them, names of each part, how to keep them healthy and more.

"The one thing that I would like to see are books that are about flowers or stories that have flowers in them," Wright said, adding, "The feel-good part of flowers and the care of flowers."

What are the business hours for Breezy Designs by Shirl?

Breezy Designs by Shirl is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Orders for an arrangement can be made online or by calling 785-608-6371.

The price of an arrangement varies from $10 and up. Wright said she cares about the concern of people who can't afford flowers.

All flowers within Breezy Designs come from such wholesalers as Baisch and Skinner Wholesale Floral.

"What I run into most is the surprise," Wright said. "The element of surprise is wonderful. Even if it is for a sad occasion, they are grateful that someone took the time to not only think of them but to act on it."

Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at klately@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Shirley Wright owns Topeka's Breezy Designs by Shirls florist shop