Business Profile: A New Business Blooms

By Greg Borzo

Sweet Petal's Melisa Jimenez and her father

Although the Sweet Petal flower shop is new to the South Loop, its owner, Melisa Jimenez, is not. She was drawn to the area years ago to attend Columbia College and has lived here for the last six years, now residing near Roosevelt Road and Wabash Avenue.

Several years ago, Melisa worked at That Flower Shop at 537 S. Dearborn for two years. She enjoyed the experience so much that she opened her own shop last May - in the very same storefront, which had become a children's clothing store after That Flower Shop closed.

"I love the area and am committed to this store," she said. "My goal is to enrich peoples' lives with the natural beauty of flowers."

The interior of Sweet Petal and its frequently changed window displays are elegant and creative, reflecting Melisa's training in interior design and her previous career in that field. She has studied flower arranging and offers adult and children courses on that subject. (Call 312-939-6544 for dates and times.)

Running the store by herself, Melisa somehow manages to keep it open six days a week. She specializes in fresh cut flowers and every week makes three early morning trips to her wholesale suppliers. Sweet Petal is known for its $5 and $10 bouquet-of-the-day specials.

Melisa offers personalized service at her store and is proud to not be part of a chain. She publishes a monthly newsletter, sells cards she designed herself, and helps customers recycle glass vases in exchange for a $5 discount or a free flower.

Her customer service and attention to detail appear to have paid off. Sweet Petal is about to reach its one-year anniversary and seems to be thriving, which makes this business profile a sweet success story.

Sweet Petal: 537 S. Dearborn St., 312-939-6544

www.sweetpetalchicago.com