Floral Shop Brings Beauty to Norwalk

After our long months of sheltering-in-place, a Norwalk business is bringing some springtime beauty to the community thanks to new manager Nikki Huetter at O’Leary’s Flowers for Every Occasion.
 
Huetter became manager/designer on May 11, just after Mother’s Day but just in time for flowers and plants to add joy to summer weddings, belated graduation parties, family memorials, patios and gardens and ordinary sunny summer days. 
 
“This summer is a great time for all of us to enjoy some color and beauty as we reconnect with family, friends and neighbors,” she says.  “That’s our goal at the floral shop to help people get together amid beauty.”
 
O’Leary’s Flowers for Every Occasion is a member of the Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce through O’Leary Celebration of Life Center at Sunset and Main. 
 
Huetter’s interest in floral design began as a child when she and her grandmother created small bouquets as gifts and decorations.   She continued the interest into adulthood but she first earned a bachelor’s degree in human services counseling from Wayne State College in Nebraska.  She renewed her love of floral design while working at a shop when she and husband Matthew lived in Crestview, FL.  She earned a design certificate through the Floral Design Institute, an America Institute of Floral Design accredited school.
 
Huetter previously spent eight years as manager of Plaza Florists in Urbandale where she headed wedding services and was in charge of display work.    She’s carried her expertise in wedding services to Norwalk, noting that wedding design is the most rewarding experience for a designer.  “A wedding encompasses so many floral opportunities, from small corsages and boutonnieres to altar flowers and aisle flowers, displays for rehearsal dinners, gift tables and guest book tables to the most important flowers of all: the bride’s bouquet,” she says.  “Weddings are simply fun to do and it feels great to give the bridal couple and families a beautiful setting”
 
O’Leary’s Flowers for Every Occasion also creates floral arrangements for memorial and funeral services which include sympathy bouquets and flowers for the visitation or service.  Recently Huetter provided a floral display for a service at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.
 
Huetter is expanding the shop’s gift selections which include Isabel Bloom sculptures, decorative vases, inspirational signs and plaques and memory stones.   The shop will soon carry art poles from Studio M in Fenton, MO. The poles, which can range in height from 10 inches to five feet, are designed for outdoor use.  Patio pots are another outdoor décor item and a great spot for a smaller art pole, she adds.   She’s also adding stuffed teddy bears,  other plush animals and home decor items from the well-known Ganz Company.   
 
Norwalk shoppers will be able to find gifts for any occasion with a visit to our shop, Huetter says.  Shop hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Delivery of floral items is available.
 
“This summer we’d love to see Norwalk and area residents reconnect with friends and family with a nice bouquet or a small gift,” she says.  “We’ve all been through an unusual, sometimes stressful experience amid the pandemic.  Flowers and plants are a beautiful and fitting way to appreciate and celebrate each other at any time.”
 
Nikki and her husband Matthew moved to Norwalk in 2011 with their children Jacob and Anna. Her parents are Ed and Diane Kuhl.