Washington County Enterprise-Leader
The Back Porch Opens In New Spot
PRAIRIE GROVE — A former residence along Douglas Street in Prairie Grove now is the new home to The Back Porch Designs & Gifts, a full-service florist shop that also offers many creative, decorative items and one-of-a-kind gifts.
Owner Amy Hyler and her crew of paid and volunteer staff have worked many hours turning the 1952 house into a welcoming business full of items to decorate the home. They’ve removed walls, painted and turned almost every nook and cranny in the house into ideas galore.
Hyler said she likes a more natural, outdoorsy look and that is reflected throughout her store.
“We’re unique, compared to other florists,” Hyler said. “We have gift items, decorations, antique and vintage items.”
The garage serves as Hyler’s work station and last week, Hyler was busy preparing flowers for a wedding in Branson, Mo. Eventually, Hyler plans to expand her shop and display items outside in her back yard. She stays busy with weddings, funerals and decorating for many kinds of events.
“We’re excited to be moved into our new location,” Hyler said. “A lot of our business comes from all over, not just from the community of Prairie Grove.”
The Back Porch moved from its former location on Buchanan Street to its new address over Labor Day weekend and now is preparing for the Christmas season. Already, Christmas wreaths, ornaments and other items are in the store. Many more will be on display just in time for the annual Holiday Open House in Prairie Grove.
The Back Porch will celebrate its Holiday Open House from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 11; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12 and noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 13.
Holiday items in the store for the three- day Open House will include Christmas decorations, stockings, pillows, garland, jewelry and some clothes. Buffalo check is popular this year and Hyler said customers will see many gifts and decorations using the plaid colors of red and black. Hyler also will have door prizes and refreshments for customers.
Hyler is an interior decorator but does not have any formal training in decorating. She started working at Flowers-n-Friends in Prairie Grove and had a vendor’s booth at Daisies & Olives. When her youngest started kindergarten, she decided to “give it a whirl” and opened The Back Porch. She’s been in business almost six years.
“You either have an eye for it (decorating) or you don’t,” Hyler said. “I’ve loved flowers since I was a child.”
Hyler enjoys working on all kinds of projects but said she especially likes putting together funeral sprays because the arrangement is larger and gives her opportunities to be creative. She said she likes to include different items that someone would not expect in a floral arrangement. She has used a guitar, antlers and vegetables in some of her arrangements.
“We like to do the personality of the person,” she added.
In addition to the Holiday Open House, the store also will have a drop-in holiday mini photo session for families and others from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 18 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 19.