Jenna Scott, left, owner Chelsea Wrobel and Bridget Azzam
It’s not usual for a business to have its grand opening celebration 1.5 years after opening. But, of course, these aren’t usual times.
Chelsea and Kevin Wrobel first launched Freedom Floral, now open at 8209 Long Point Rd. in the Spring Branch Management District, a year and a half ago.
“Two weeks before everything went into lockdown for COVID last year,” Chelsea Wrobel said.
With just those few days under their belt, the Wrobels had to do what nearly every business had to do during the pandemic: pivot.
They went from planning what they thought was going to be their bread and butter for their floral business — events — to concentrating on daily flower deliveries.
“It was through the hundreds of deliveries we did in those months of lockdown that I fell in love with the retail side of the floral business,” Chelsea Wrobel said. “Being able to play a role in people sending love when they were forced to be apart was so powerful and felt very purposeful in a difficult season.”
Wrobel, who is from Bryan/College Station, said she and her husband, Kevin, now call Spring Branch home.
“We love this community and have felt so loved and supported by everyone in it as we’ve embarked on this journey,” she said.
The name Freedom Floral is inspired by Galatians 5:1, which says: “It is for freedom Christ has set us free.”
“My faith is very important to me and plays the leading role in all the decisions that I make,” Wrobel said. Starting Freedom Floral, she said, was a direct result of the freedom she has found in Christ, giving her the strength to do hard things without fear of failure.
“I knew without a doubt that the community would rally around Freedom Floral and that played a huge role in our decision to take the leap to a brick and mortar storefront so quickly after starting our business,” Wrobel said.
“Spring Branch has such a wonderful community of people and we are all longing to see new businesses open and thrive in our neighborhoods,” Wrobel said, adding that they choose the Spring Branch Village shopping center because the developers — Braun Enterprises — shared their values and vision for Spring Branch and its future.
New businesses at the shopping center include the Feges BBQ, located just steps from Freedom Floral.
Freedom Floral offers a wide range of products — all of them “giftable.” It’s the perfect place to stop by for that newborn baby gift, a hostess gift or a last-minute birthday present.
Wrobel said: “We have baby and kids items, bath and body, candles, accessories like earrings and headbands, and of course flowers, cards, and chocolates, because what flower shop is complete without those?”
At the shop’s grand opening Saturday, Aug. 7, the Wrobels will return to their original business focus with an event, featuring family-friendly activities and treats from local businesses such as Cambrian Coffee, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Freedom Floral will also offer a floral design workshop Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available here: https://www.freedomfloral.com/
Wrobel said two non-owner partners at Freedom Floral play a huge role in the business and are also local to this part of Houston. Bridget Azzam is director of development, while Jenna Scott is director of merchandising and sales. In addition, Freedom Floral employs an assistant designer, Taiba Janabi, who is an artist. (Be sure to check our her mural in the shop).
Besides sending out beautiful flowers and gifts into the community, Wrobel said she hopes Freedom Floral will be an inspiration for other businesses to come to the Spring Branch District.
“As we grow, our hope is to empower and inspire others to take the leap of faith we did and bring their small business to life here in this community that we love so much.”
Freedom Floral
8209 Long Point Rd.
Houston, TX 77055
https://www.freedomfloral.com
832-817-7080
