After taking over a Bronx flower shop at the dawn of the COVID pandemic, Christopher Tapia has brought his skills in floristry to Riverdale. Tapia and his wife, Juliana Tapia, have owned and operated their first Flowerland shop since May 2020, located at 929 Allerton Ave.
Earlier this month, the Tapias opened their second Flowerland location at 6048 Riverdale Ave.
The new shop, filled with the scent of fresh flowers, is small but well-curated with a modern aesthetic.
“My wife was really interested in pursuing this,” Tapia said when asked why they opened the plant and flower store and what inspired them to expand with a second location.
Juliana began gaining experience in floriculture in 2020. Tapia said his wife “learned a ton about the flower business [at the first location]” as well as “working with other local and experienced florists.”
“Having been involved with flowers since my youth—along with my experience in the industry and cousins in Ecuador who know the business—made us take this on,” Tapia added.
Tapia is working to obtain certification from the New York Botanical Garden Floral Certificate Program and is excited for the official grand opening of the shop in the coming weeks. A date has not been set, but offerings will include free gifts such as single roses and small bouquets.
Flowerland, which attracts customers from neighborhoods across the Bronx, Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and parts of Westchester, provides discounts on large orders and first-time purchases, as well as weekly value rates. For Valentine’s Day, Flowerland will waive delivery fees on pre-orders.
Tapia, who began arranging flowers as a child, grew up in the Bedford Park neighborhood and attended St. Philip Neri School and the Bronx High School of Science.
In addition to providing flowers for weddings and funerals, Flowerland’s first location also supplies residential lobbies, hotels, and nursing homes with floral arrangements, a service Tapia plans to offer in Riverdale as well.
Tapia said some species of flowers are delivered from Ecuador through Miami and eventually picked up in Hunts Point. His business also receives flower shipments from California.
“Sometimes it’s tough to organize, but I like having the options and the variety to choose from,” he added.
In the spring, Tapia looks forward to providing more seasonal flowers like irises and tulips.
“We pretty much provide anything you would find in a full-service floral shop, with more of a selection than most online shops,” Tapia said.