The White Orchid in Campbellsville, Kentucky, has become more than just a florist. It’s a cornerstone in the community, offering carefully selected gifts, home decor and floral arrangements that keep customers returning for every season.
Owner Blake Day always knew he wanted to run his own business from the start. With a family legacy in the industry, he saw the opportunity to create something different and unique.
“My family had been in the industry for many years, and it was something I understood,” Day said. “I knew I could be successful.”
Since opening in 2017, The White Orchid has set itself apart from other boutiques in Campbellsville by selling more than just florals and a broader selection of gifts.
“We do more with gifts than our competitors,” Day said. “We also have a different design style with our flowers, and the atmosphere in our store isn’t the traditional flower shop vibe.”
The community has responded very positively. Customers continue to show their support, and the business keeps growing. With new customers coming, the store has improved its response to demands. Initially, The White Orchid was more of a traditional florist, but with the closure of Hallmark, the boutique has expanded into gifts and home decor.
Susan Blevins, an employee at The White Orchid, began working at the boutique after Hallmark closed. Blevins enjoys helping customers find what they need while also being around beautiful products.
“Talking to people as they come into the store and unpacking retail as it arrives is something I really enjoy,” Blevins said. “I love seeing people I know stop in, especially around Valentine’s Day.”
For manager Megan Houk, her job includes organizing operations from day to day (such as orders and deliveries), providing customer service, maintaining floral stock, designing arrangements, and keeping the sales floor updated. Houk believes The White Orchid’s attention to detail is what draws people in.
“The quality of products at The White Orchid stands out to customers,” Houk said. “We are always trying to keep the standard high with the products we sell. We also try to be as creative as possible and make eye-catching designs.”
Choosing the right product is a challenge. Day and his team work hard to keep up with trends and items that customers are looking for.
“We have to know our customer base to know what they will purchase,” Day said. “It’s one of the hardest parts of the job.”
Social media plays a big role in keeping their customers engaged and informed about their new products and promotions. The White Orchid uses platforms like Facebook and Instagram to show their products and interact with customers.
“Social media is our main source to get information to our customers,” Day said. “We also sell through social media, which helps keep things moving.”
Running a small business comes with challenges. Attracting customers and marketing ideas are ongoing challenges and the financial demands require careful planning.
“The biggest challenge is being able to invest in new products at the rate we’d like,” Day said. “It’s always a balance.”
Regardless of the hard work, Day enjoys the flexibility that comes with owning the store even though sometimes it means long hours.
“I generally work seven days a week,” he said. “Maybe not for eight to 10 hours a day, but work is always on my mind.”
For Houk, the creative part of the job is the most rewarding.
“I always said I wanted to be an artist as a child,” she said. “Being a florist isn’t exactly the same, but I get to be creative and have fun with what’s in front of me.”
“Our goal is to continue being the best retail gift, floral and home decor store in Campbellsville,” Day said. “We feel like we’ve achieved that, but we’re always looking for ways to improve.”
The White Orchid is located at 223 East Main Street in Campbellsville. It’s open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Its phone number is 270-283-4355, and you can also find the florist on Instagram and Facebook.
