Though the scene outside may look like a winter wonderland these days, the scene inside Petals and Presents in Edwardsburg is always in bloom.

And inside, owner Kathryn Greer is always busy.

The Niles resident is still getting acclimated to her new surroundings at the corner of U.S. Highway 12 and Cass Street in Edwardsburg after moving her business from its original location in Three Oaks, Mich.

Greer said she originally bought the Three Oaks business four years ago.

With her lease up, she said she entertained the idea of moving to another location.

“I’ve always lived in Niles,” she said. “This is closer to home and (Edwardsburg) didn’t have a flower shop.”

Petals and Presents has been open in its new space since Nov. 1 and business has been good, Greer said.

Petals and Presents is a full-service florist and Greer’s shop is also filled with gift options such as designer soaps, Yankee candles, balloons and pieces by local artists.

“I’m an artist and crafter by nature,” Greer said. So, she said, there is jewelry to choose from as well as stained glass pieces made by her sister.

“We also do consignments for local artists,” she said.

Always a creative person, Greer says she has found her flower shop the perfect outlet.

Four years ago, she was working as a medical secretary. Having had some experience also working in real estate, Greer said she periodically checked local property listings out of habit when she found the shop for sale.

“I always wanted to own my own business,” she said.

But with a husband and two sons, she expected something geared toward their interests.

“Girly,” she said, didn’t quite fit into the picture.

But as it turned out — it did fit into her picture.

With the move to Edwardsburg, Greer is hoping to take advantage of “year-round” business as opposed to the seasonal business she saw most often in Three Oaks.

Greer incorporates her creativity into her business by way of presentation — in terms of both her petals and her specialized menus for Valentine’s Day, one of the biggest times of the year for the shop, she said.

Petals and Presents has made deliveries throughout the area, including Niles, Granger, Edwardsburg, South Bend and Elkhart.

Looking back over the years since she first bought the business, Greer remembers the “trial by fire” lessons learned in the field.

Greer bought the shop just before Mother’s Day — the other of the biggest and busiest seasons in her industry. The experience taught her a lot in a short period of time, she said but “while we were doing it, I was thinking, God, we’re crazy.”

“I think the biggest obstacle that I had was purchasing product,” she said. “Fresh product, because its a perishable item so that was a huge learning curve in the beginning. In order to stay profitable you can’t have too much but you want to have enough of a selection for people to pick from.”

Now, Greer relies on a supplier who stops at her shop with fresh florals from Chicago and another in South Bend so she has options and abilities to fill orders if she is in need.

Going to Edwardsburg, Greer said, was a move that started off on the right foot after Petals and Presents took part in the village’s first business expo.

“We got a huge response,” she said. “Everyone was just so excited. Everyone was just really, really, nice. That helps a lot. It seems like everybody just wants to help you here. So while you’re nervous starting a new business, it gives you comfort when you meet nice people like that.”