The star of the hit TV show “The Bear,” Jeremy Allen White has often been photographed carrying large bouquets of flowers along city streets, and the owner of a new Downtown flower shop has a simple request.
“I mean, I think Jeremy should come in here and [pose for a photo with a bouquet of flowers],” Tiffany Weinbender, owner of Ida Mayes Floral Design House, said with a laugh. “That would be amazing.”
Weinbender opened Ida Mayes on Main in July in a quaint country cottage at 306 West Main. The shop serves primarily as a wedding and event floral studio, also providing seasonal, locally sourced arrangements and basic design workshops.
“It really is just a dream come true,” said Weinbender, who lights up when given the opportunity to talk flowers. “Wherever you get them, flowers bring so much joy.”
Service of a different sort
Weinbender was once bound for a career in nursing, feeding her need to serve others. But it was a gig working for a cut flower farm in Tennessee while in nursing school which “catapulted [her] love of working with flowers.”
She continued working in flowers after moving to central Texas, freelancing for a florist while working as a nurse. Seven years after beginning her design studio out of her home, she found the location for her studio on West Main.
“I’ve looked back and been blown away by the journey it took to get here,” she said. “You just never know the little things that lead to something else.”
Of workshops and weddings
Ida Mayes Floral offers design services for weddings, corporate and other events, drawing on Weinbender’s deep knowledge of flowers and design.
Weinbender has close ties to local flower farmers creating unique opportunities for her customers, who can make selections based on size, color and arrangement mood.
“There’s definitely a higher level of trust when you’re ordering flowers from us but that also allows us to get higher quality things that were cut a lot sooner to the day, so they should have a little bit more longevity in your home,” she said.
Private workshops focus on elevating the design experience for the DIY crowd without a floral background. They make a great girls’ night out, bridal shower, or a casual celebration where you can try your hand at flower arranging.
Her 4-year-old child inspired her to put forth “Little Buds” design workshops for children. With adult supervision, children can spend time growing their love for flowers with their parents.
“Giving kids a way to play with nature in this really easy, tangible way and in a setting that feels safe, I just think could be just a really fun outlet for families to participate in,” Weinbender said.
About that name …
Weinbender noted her grandmothers are both the inspiration for the business’ name. Memories of her childhood take her back to time with her grandmothers, growing flowers in their backyards.
“They cultivated that love of the earth for me,” she said. “So I really wanted to honor them in some way.”
However, Weinbender also answers to “Ida” at this point in her career, she joked.
Find Ida Mayes Floral Design House online (idamayes.com ) and on Instagram (@idamayesfloral and @idamayesonmain). The studio is closed to the public, but custom arrangements may be ordered online with 48 hours notice.
Ida Mayes on Main
306 West Main Street
Studio closed to the public
