Definitely a farmer’s daughter and country girl at heart, Louise was raised on Wadmalaw Island and was always around plants and flowers...Her father was a tomato farmer and her childhood was filled with days of driving tractors and planting and harvesting crops. In 1989, when she was 18 years old, Louise was selling the family vegetables at the Charleston Farmers Market.

By the mid 1990's, Louise was growing over 20 acres of cut flowers on their farm, Thackeray Farms.  In December of 1999 she opened Charleston Flower Market at 1952 Maybank Highway, the same location they still occupy today.

"Charleston Flower Market is modeled after a European-style flower market  Flowers are displayed in buckets and priced by the stem or by the bunch; they make fabulous bouquets and arrangements and offer a large variety of everyday and specialty, seasonal-cut flowers. Customers are encouraged to explore the flowers and go in the cooler and choose what they wanted to take home or have delivered.  If they don't see what they want, we are glad to make it for them." 

It isn't just about the flowers or the arrangements for Louise. She loves teaching people about flowers, how to take care of them, arrange them, or even grow them if they want.  "I love to make them smile, whether it’s one of the funny cards, a special candle or the flower itself that brings back a wonderful memory, it’s about the whole experience that makes Charleston Flower Market such a special place."

 

Catherine joined Charleston Flower Market in 2002.  She quickly discovered a natural talent and great passion for all types of floral design.  In 2005, following the birth of her daughter, Catherine became Wedding & Event Coordinator for the shop.  In this position, she realized she was an artist who finally found her true medium. Catherine has access to everything from basic roses to exotic peonies from Israel..  Her ability to source products throughout the year continues to make her designs special and keep her clients happy!  It is not unusual for Catherine and her team to be onsite hours before the event starts or, well after the festivities have ended. 

She enjoys working closely with clients to create an event that will capture their unique style.  "I just love the transition from idea to something gorgeous.  It is so important to fully understand what inspires the client about an image they saw on Pinterest or in the latest issue of Charleston Weddings."   

 

Holly, having had previous experience as a florist with Whole Foods Market, was very involved in planning her own wedding at Boone Hall Plantation.  She enjoyed it so much that she formally started assisting Catherine in mid 2015.  She quickly moved to Shop Manager shortly thereafter and handles a wide variety of day to day activities including online orders, social media platforms, and customer interaction.  Holly enjoys being able to express herself by being creative and working with plants and flowers, always striving to make every transaction personable for each customer.        

 

Charleston Flower Market is a continued recipient of the 'Wedding Wire Couple's Choice Awards' as well as 'The Knot - Best of Weddings'.