Tina Enyart, owner of Sweet T Flowers in Waxhaw, NC, has always loved flowers.  She had grown up with her mother arranging flowers and eventually she was able to convert her hobby into her full time job. 

When Enyart bought Studio Forma in 2014, she had just relocated to Waxhaw from Ohio and starting learning what it takes to run a florist.  She learned that 80-85% of flowers are imported to the United States and in the past 15 years, many US growers have gone out of business.  But where most people would have gone along with the status quo, Enyart saw an opportunity to make a change.  She always tries to source locally before moving to a nationwide search for her flowers.  She has 3 main growers in the area (two in Charlotte and one in Waxhaw) as well as some individuals who will come sell flowers directly to Enyart including the “Dahlia Lady” who brings in bucketful’s of beautiful, local dahlias.  While this means that she may have limited availability (for example, no sunflowers in January), it also provides her with the chance to show off what is amazing about the Carolinas.  “The flowers actually smell like flowers,” she explains, “and since they were cut this morning instead of 2 weeks ago, they will remain fresh and vibrant for much longer than traditionally sourced blooms.”  #AmericanGrown and #CarolinaMade are very important to Enyart and she works hard to make them a reality.

Sweet T Flowers does a lot of weddings, including Enyart’s own recent nupitals.  She has at least one wedding every week and works with couples to suit their needs.  Since she doesn’t have a minimum like most florists, Enyart is able to assist with everything from a courthouse wedding to large multi table affairs.  She also offers corporate and real estate plant rentals as well as providing flowers and greenery to large events like Charlotte Fashion Week, the Mint Museum, and Charlotte Scene.  And by keeping flowers local and fresh, she can keep prices down.

The flowers at Sweet T Flowers can be shipped nationwide.  Enyart no longer works with the flower wire services but instead encourages customers to come into the store or shop directly at her online store.  She has more control over the quality of the flowers and since she is no longer losing revenue to the “middle man”, she can offer more bang for your buck (or flowers for your bouquet).  She will package them in an arrangement with a water source, and deliver them where ever you need them to go.

But fresh and local flowers aren’t all that Sweet T Flowers are known for.  Enyart also crafts crates featuring Carolina items.  The crates are made by local artisans and are branded with the Sweet T Flowers logo.  The local items in the crates include candles from Charleston, jams from Asheville, Southern Fragrances candles and bath soaks from Charlotte, and much more.  Sweet T Flowers offers these crates for sale in store and online and they can be customized to your needs.  They also ship anywhere in the country and are a great way to send a little slice of home.

Enyart believes in giving back.  She arranges for weekly deliveries to Hospice in Monroe.  For the last two and a half years, volunteers have coordinated to return the vases, refill them with fresh flowers, and place them in patient’s rooms. She is also always on the lookout for new flower vendors.  She attends Farmer’s Markets when she can as well as encouraging local amateur growers to contact her about what they can offer each other. 

Coming in the fall, Sweet T Flowers will have a Flower Bar where you can stop by and quickly pick up flowers by the stem.  They also have a Grab and Go Bar, if you are looking for a quick and unique gift.  “We used to be a well-kept secret, but now the secret is out!”

Sweet T Flowers – 3919 Providence Rd S, Waxhaw, NC 28173; (704) 843-8248; www.sweettflowers.com