An interactive floral design studio and wine bar is coming to Spartanburg in May.
Rock Hill-based The Flower Bar plans to expand to Spartanburg, Lake Wylie and Fort Mill. The Spartanburg location will be at 449 East Main St., near Moe’s Southwest Grill and Chicken Salad Chick. Customers can buy flowers, take a workshop on floral arrangements and choose from over 130 flavor combinations for wine slushies.
Owners Robert and Melissa Frotten started the business more than a year ago.
“The idea is for you to be able to either create with us or let us facilitate helping you create something,” Melissa Frotten said.
The Flower Bar’s planned Spartanburg location on 449 East Main St. near Moe’s Southwest Grill and Chicken Salad Chick. Provided/The Flower Bar
She said that the space is often rented out for birthdays, bridal showers and anniversary surprise engagements. The atmosphere created by flowers and houseplants also draws those who want to work outside of a traditional coffee shop setting.
Before getting into floral design full time, Melissa Frotten worked in finance. She has worked with flowers for over 20 years and now does floral arrangements for about 75 weddings a year. She also does holiday decorating for corporate and residential areas. Many of the flowers and plants available are based on seasonal availability and what is growing locally.
“He knows drinking, I know flowers, so we figured we’d put our knowledge of those two things together,” she said.
Robert Frotten said that he’s already signed three leases for the additional locations. He would like to have another five locations by 2023.
“There's so many people during COVID that never got the opportunity to see their dreams come true, and we flourished through COVID,” he said.
The Flower Bar’s specialty drink is a slushy that has a wine base, mixed fruit and an essence such as lavender or hibiscus. The wine slushies start with a base, whether it be rosé, red or white. Customers can then choose a fruit flavor within those categories, and add an essence that is derived from a flower or plant. There are around 130 flavor combinations. Beer, wine by the glass, wine margaritas and charcuterie boxes are also available.
Each location is expected to have at least two floral designers and at least two bar tenders.
“We’ve never had negative feedback about the flowers because they are these massive, beautiful arrangements, and we're going to do that in every location,” Robert Frotten said.
