OAKHURST — Cross the threshold into Jennifer Lyster’s new shop, The Enchanted Florist and Whatnots, and you’ll have a good idea why it’s called enchanted. Spend some time talking with Jennifer, herself, and you’ll understand completely.
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The open, airy shop was established in mid-September, with an outstanding array of floral choices delivered or picked up for events including birthdays, weddings, sympathy and all special occasions. There’s even a convenient and flexible floral club customers can join to enjoy flowers regularly, with nice rewards.
In addition to stunning arrangements, the store presents a wealth of shopportunity, including home furnishings, gifts and necessities for wee ones and adults, and items especially for “her.”
So, it’s one of those places you go to choose a beautiful present for a dear friend or co-worker, and then realize there are at least ten items you deserve for your own self, too. Gorgeous purses, chic ponchos, delicious candles, artisan home decor and shabby chic pieces large and small round out the “whatnot” in the name. It’s a one-stop shop for a good percentage of your giving and keeping needs.
Jennifer says that opening the store and serving customers locally brings to life a dream she’s envisioned for over a decade. Though she has even pursued nursing school in Australia, Jennifer feels that with the flowers, she has truly found her sweet spot.
Having worked for Wanda at the Flower Box in North Fork, where Jen started at the bottom washing buckets, the proprietor now says she’s been mentored by the best around, including Beth at Coarsegold Flowers and Laura at Red Bud Bouquet, the space Enchanted Florist occupies now.
“They were all phenomenal,” Jennifer enthuses, “and I’ve been lucky to have worked with some really talented florists.”
It turns out it’s lucky to have flowers handy, or healthy, at least. Researchers at Harvard University conducted a study about the effects of flowers in the home, concluding in 2006 that living with flowers decreases feelings of anxiety and worry, and strengthens feelings of compassion.
Noting the obvious importance of flowers in her life, Jennifer explains something you’d never know by looking at her or engaging in casual conversation. Just 12 months ago, she survived brain surgery to correct a condition known as Chiari malformation.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Chiari (kee-AH-ree) malformation is a condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal, occurring when part of the skull is particularly small, and creating pressure on the brain as it pushes downward.
For as long as she can remember, Jennifer has had neck pain and debilitating headaches, and with her busy life as wife and mom, it wasn’t getting any better. It got to the point where laughing hard caused her to cover her head in pain from what turned out to be the pressure.
Jennifer and husband Shane have three older kids and three younger ones between them, and over a period of time, as her condition worsened, Jen suffered mildly slurred speech, numbness and tingling in her face, and serious balance issues that had resulted in six major falls.
Fortunately, once she was properly diagnosed, Jennifer learned of another family in the area who had traveled the Chiari malformation road, and who were willing and able to help and educate the Lysters. Jennifer had the surgery to accommodate her condition on Nov. 5, 2015 and, after an extensive recovery period, she’s been feeling really well.
Meanwhile, Jennifer always had designs on opening up a floral-and-more shop, and suddenly this was the year she got the chance. As it turned out, once she felt better, the opportunity and timing were perfect. Now, Jen says, she’s doing exactly what she wants to do.
“I’m awesome. It’s amazing what a year has brought. It was a matter of faith, and our families and the community really took care of us. When it became an option to start this shop, we knew this was a chance to either open the door or slam it. So we opened it, and now we want to be a blessing to the community ourselves.”
Speaking of blessings, Jennifer is quick to point out that her husband Shane represents a big one. He was born in Yosemite, raised in Oakhurst, and works at Sierra Tel. They’re coming up on their 13th wedding anniversary.
“Anything I can dream, he can build,” she says, and he has. In addition, anything a customer brings into the shop, Jennifer can make a floral arrangement in. With the holidays coming up, the Enchanted Florist has a lot to be thankful for. With a new florist in town, so do we.
The Enchanted Florist and Whatnots on Facebook
Story and photos by SNO Managing Editor Kellie Flanagan, except as otherwise noted.