Lyric Flowers reopens in new location

Owners of Lyric Flowers, Lanny Hoare and Jay Harrison are happy to welcome locals into their new space at 116 Queen St. E. The couple is very happy with the bright new boutique. The space is smaller but the owners are committed to delivering just as much quality, service and passion for the flower business as they did before.

By Wendy Lamond

One never knows when life will throw them a curve ball and that is exactly what happened when Lanny Hoare, co-owner of Lyric Flowers, was in Toronto enjoying a nice weekend with his partner, Jay Harrison.

What he initially thought was extremely bad heartburn turned out to be a massive heart attack. The pair rushed to a Toronto Hospital and Hoare was in surgery almost immediately.

In times like this, a reset on priorities and readjustments need to be made. Hoare and Harrison had to make some decisions regarding their popular flower business and decided to relocate across the street to where Urbshott-Galloway was located before their move to 199 Elgin St. E.

Due to orders from his family doctor and his cardiologist, a change involving things like lifting and stairs had to be taken into consideration.

“Am I surprised I took a heart attack? Due to genetics, I would say no. Am I surprised that it happened this soon? Yes,” Hoare said. “I had absolutely no symptoms leading up and I was playing tennis two days before.”

The new space is a fresh start. It has been painted, and it has new flooring and new lighting. The space they had previously was a larger “store” vibe. The new location is smaller, quainter and cozier. There are no stairs to climb and after a tough stretch, Hoare and Harrison are embracing the new space.

With a new rejuvenated business plan, the couple is in discussions with local organizations on joining up for events and functions like they have done previously.

The new space also works great for Harrison’s workshops he is hosting for the upcoming Christmas season. The new store can fit 12 people comfortably around the island in the workspace. Lyric Flowers, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary on Nov. 25, is still doing weddings.

Hoare and Harrison have been working with a business consultant who suggested some amendments including a new POS system that will simplify things like tracking sales and inventory, and they will be installing a new suspended sign over the front of the business.

There is also a new website being launched in the new year. Greeting cards are still available for purchase, and the business has a new line of candles and soaps from the Palm Candle Company in Guelph. Both Hoare and Harrison met with a representative of the business and curated two signature scents. One is called Artistry, which is more of a citrus scent, and the other is called Strong and Stone, which is more of a tree, water and rock scent.

Harrison loves the new space.

“It’s manageable, it’s positive, the flow is great, it’s just a whole new vibe. That is what we needed.”

After so many positive steps in the right direction, both are excited to welcome the community into the new boutique as they move forward with a bright new future for their business.

Lyric Flowers is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.