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A new flower shop is blooming in Amity Harbor — and it’s the product of one local woman’s vision.
Butterfly Bouquets opened this month at 78 Montauk Highway under the direction of Heather Garguilo, a 27-year-old Copiague native who describes herself as a “full-blown florist and one-woman show.”
The idea for the business began a few years ago after Garguilo got engaged and started spending more time with her mom visiting local farmers markets on weekends.
“I felt like I wasn’t hanging out with my mom very much,” she said. “So we started going to farmers markets together.”
Those outings sparked an idea. Garguilo, a hairdresser by trade with a creative streak, began experimenting with floral arrangements and eventually launched a “build-your-own bouquet bar,” which has now become the centerpiece of her brick-and-mortar shop.
“It’s customizable,” she said. “You come in and pick the flowers to make your own bouquet.”
The shop’s Bloom Bar rotates flowers weekly. Starting at $20, customers can select eight stems along with a ribbon and wrapping paper to complete their bouquet.
“It’s been a hit with little kids,” Garguilo said. “They can say they picked out the flowers themselves.”
Each week she posts previews of the upcoming flower selection on social media to entice customers to stop by. Looking ahead, Garguilo hopes to expand the concept with bouquet-making classes and workshops.
Butterfly Bouquets occupies a former law office that had sat vacant before she signed a lease in October. After several months of renovations, the shop celebrated its grand opening in February.
Nestled along the Copiague–Amity Harbor border, Garguilo said the community response has already been strong.
“It’s been a big hit with people in town,” she said, noting there hasn’t been another florist nearby.
For Garguilo, opening the shop close to where she grew up has made the experience even more meaningful.
“It’s been very cool,” she said. “Old teachers will come stop in. It’s a full-circle moment.”
Her favorite flower may be the hydrangea, but butterflies — a longtime favorite — inspired the shop’s name.
“I’ve gone to multiple florists and they don’t want you to touch anything, they’re protective of the flowers,” she said. “This is a safe space where people can do that here.”
Butterfly Bouquets is closed Mondays and open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Photos from Butterfly Bouquets.
Top: Heather Garguilo, 27, of Copiague, describes herself as a ‘full-blown florist and one-woman show.’ (courtesy)
