5 days Ago By Natalie Beneviat
Whether it’s a grandiose bloomy show for a wedding, a somber stately arrangement for a funeral or a simple pop of color to brighten mom’s special day, flowers can say just the right thing. “Someone told me last week that flowers are for the emotions of the moment. They’re not meant to last forever.
Whether it’s comfort for a funeral or to celebrate a joyous occasion, flowers express how you feel in that given moment,” said Emily Betler, the new owner of McCandless Floral, located at 8601 Old Perry Highway in McCandless. The 2019 North Allegheny graduate recently purchased the business from her mother, Janis Betler, who has been operating McCandless Floral for 49 years. Janis, also a McCandless resident, didn’t have any plans to sell, but Emily had just graduated in May 2023 from Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in plant science horticulture and a minor in international agriculture.
It seemed like the perfect arrangement. “I was not looking to sell. It was Emily who approached me and asked if I had any thoughts on selling.
It was the perfect opportunity for myself and for Emily. I know her work ethic and who she was as a person. Her desire to create something (was) right on track on how I would envision business to go forward,” Janis said.
Emily, 24, also received her master’s in business administration from Smeal College of Business at Penn State in 2024 and had been working at McCandless Floral for two years. While Janis, whose husband started the shop with a partner in 1976, will still be working at the shop as a consultant, she knows she is leaving it in good hands. “I will be 70 this year.
I loved working,” said Janis, who also was a nurse for 25 years. The key to McCandless Floral’s devoted customer base is its personal touch. Helping customers with questions on choosing the right flower or filling last-minute requests shows their dedication to creating the perfect product.
Emily, who interned at Metrolina Green Houses Inc. in North Carolina, also studied abroad in Kenya in 2022, teaching children who grew up on the street how to grow their own food for themselves and their families. “It is the perfect combination of my two degrees.
I can use my business knowledge and be hands-on, work with people and engage with the community. You get to be here for the good times and the hard times. Flowers are part of everyday life.
It’s a blessing,” Emily said. The store often uses local vendors, and customers comment on how long the flowers last. Emily’s tips for longevity include cutting the flower stems every few days and changing the water regularly, using cool water.
She also recommends keeping the flowers in a temperature-neutral part of the house and not letting them “bake” in the sun or placing them on a heat vent. Special upcoming offerings include blooming baskets with various floral arrangements. When it comes to weddings, light-blue flowers seem to be trending, said Emily, suggesting blue delphiniums are a good choice.
“It’s a nice part of the day to get to meet with a bride and see all of their angst and nervousness. But they always cry when they see the flowers,” Emily said. It is prom season and the store offers boutonnieres and three bouquet sizes, including the small handheld nosegay.
Customers can custom-make a corsage with extra “bling.” Emily advises ordering early because prom and Mother’s Day fall around the same time. Regarding ideas for Mother’s Day, which falls on May 11 this year, Emily recommends getting mom’s favorite flowers or asking for a designer’s arrangement.
Emily, who officially took over in January, said she is looking forward to growing the store. “I’d love for it to be around another 50 years,” Emily said. “I love every moment of it.
” McCandless Floral is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.
m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m.
to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
Special consultations are available. For details, visit mccandlessfloralinc.com or call 412-367-8708.
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