Downtown South Boston has a new business on the block. Wisters flower shop has opened its doors at 441 Main St.

The fragrance and vivid colors of mingled flowers greeted the crowd that gathered Friday morning for the first day of Wisters’ two-day grand opening, a bright spot in the cold, gray January day. Owner Amanda Rose welcomed the crowd into her shop.

“I want people to come in here and feel that they are really comfortable and at home,” Rose said. “I want everyone to feel welcome here.”

Rose named Wisters after her grandfather John Wister, who always kept his door open for friends and neighbors and supported her projects and interests.

She has had the help of her mother Rhonda Day and her aunt Lisa Wilkinson in preparing for the business’ grand opening. Preparations included redoing the flooring and repainting the walls of the building.

Rose believes the building across from South Boston Town Hall is the prime spot for her business. The last business at the location was Sweet Cee’s Gifts & Kids Consignment.

“I just love this location. I feel there’s a lot of growth down here,” Rose said. “I feel at home here.”

South Boston town manager Tom Raab said he is impressed with the improvements Rose has made to the downtown building, as well as her style of floral arrangement.

“I think Amanda has a very unique style, and she will be an asset here,” Raab said. “We’re happy to fill a void in our community and a void in one of our buildings. We’re really pleased to have Amanda and her husband Mike here, and we’re happy they’re investing in South Boston.”

Rose shared that she decided to open the flower shop to fill the need for a “more modern floral designer” in downtown South Boston and to expand the services she was already providing in the community. She has been a florist for five years, focusing mainly on weddings.

Rose said Wisters will offer “anything flower-related that people are interested in,” including pre-made bouquets, flower deliveries and a flower bar that allows customers to create their own arrangement from a selection of flowers, stems and vases.

“We’ve had a lot of excitement in our flower bar. That’s not something that you can find anywhere else down here,” Rose said.

For the South Boston florist, arranging flowers is an art form. Rose studied art at James Madison University and started planning weddings right after her graduation. Becoming a florist seemed like a natural fit.

“I started playing with flowers one day, and it morphed from there,” Rose said.

A native of Danville, Rose moved to Halifax County with her husband Mike six years ago.

Wisters’ business hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and by appointment Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

For more information about Wisters, call the shop at 434-446-3175.

From The Gazette Virginian